Ad agency VML has announced five new hires and one high-level promotion within its brand strategy and data department.

“Great strategy thrives on the richness and diversity of talent and perspective,” said Amy Winger, chief strategy officer. “That’s what I love about all of these people. Our ensemble has never been stronger. The brand planning discipline is central to VML’s marketing communications work. Researchers, data scientists, and planners work together to uncover insights and create strategies that fuel VML’s connected consumer experience work.”

Chase Cornett has been hired as a group planning director. Cornett relocated from Chicago where he worked as the SVP, strategic planning director, at FCB Global, with prior experience at PlanG Holdings. Cornett’s primary responsibility will be leading work on multiple PepsiCo brands. He will report to Ian Davidson, managing director, strategy and insights.

Adrian Adshade has joined VML as a group planning director. Adshade comes from TBWA\Asia Pacific where he led the strategy team for TBWA’s digital transformation specialist agency, Digital Arts Network (DAN) Singapore. He brings extensive experience that spans diverse regional marketing scopes including greater China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Oceania. Adshade will report to Ian Davidson, managing director, strategy and insights.

Todd Harris has been hired as a group planning director. Harris will lead VML strategic partnerships and innovation initiatives, particularly custom integrations with platforms, startups, and emerging technologies, on behalf of Gatorade and other VML clients. Harris has 16 years of industry experience and has worked at CBS Corporation and iHeartMedia. His most recent role was executive vice president of strategic partnerships at the SaaS company, SquareOffs. He will report to Ian Davidson, managing director, strategy and insights.

Carrie Patterson Reed joins VML as group director, research. Patterson Reed’s new role will aid the planning, experience design and channel teams in understanding consumer insights and translating those insights into impactful strategies in the creative development process. She brings 15 years of experience working in brand development, strategy and insights research. She has spent the majority of her career working with Fortune 500 companies to articulate brand messages that build deeper relevance with consumers. She will report to Paul Hauser, managing director, strategy and insights.

Jerod Overley arrives at VML in the role of group director, data technology. Overley will oversee the agency’s data sciences group, which is based out of VML Kansas City. He has more than 20 years of experience and previously led the analytics and insights group at Boehringer Ingelheim. Overley will report to Eric Beane, managing director, strategy and insights.

Nick Yecke has been promoted to group director, integrated strategy. Yecke will lead the work for Bayer Animal Health. He has worked with multiple brands over his 16 years in marketing, bringing a range of knowledge and understanding in this new role within the global advisory practice. Yecke will continue to assist partners in solving a range of challenges, from product development to customer acquisition, retention, business transformation and communications planning. He will report to Frank Jurden.