BBDO New York Promotes Kirsten Flanik to President

BBDO New York promoted Kirsten Flanik to the role of president, effective immediately. Flanik, who formerly served as managing director, will report directly to John Osborn, who has served as BBDO New York CEO (and, until now, president) for the past twelve years.

The agency does not plan to hire a new managing director in Flanik’s place.

Flanik joined BBDO New York as managing director back in July 0f 2006 to oversee the agency’s Mars account. She also runs BBDO New York’s pro bono Autism Speaks account, helped win back the Snickers account, works with clients such as Tropicana, ExxonMobil and FedEx and chairs the agency’s Women’s Leadership Council. Before joining BBDO she spent four years as group account director with BBH New York and held roles with Fallon and Cliff Freeman and Partners. 

“In a business that never stands still, I’m excited to take this next step at BBDO New York as we continue to expand and evolve our offering,” Flanik said. “I look forward to building on the strong partnership and teamwork that already exists between myself and John and the rest of the BBDO New York leadership team.”

Flanik’s promotion follows BBDO New York winning creative duties for health insurance company Humana and Subway last August and Priceline.com the following month. It also follows Omnicom CEO John Wren‘s pledge, made during a recent Q1 earnings call, to double the number of women in creative leadership positions at BBDO over the next 12 months.

BBDO New York, Marvel Team Up to Release ‘Heroes Welcome’

BBDO New York and its Diversity Council teamed up with Marvel Comics to create Heroes Welcome, a new Avengers comic timed to coincide with Marvel’s 75th anniversary, and available in its entirety online. The comic book was written by Eisner Award-winner Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by artist Mark Brooks, and “tells the story of what can happen when people of different backgrounds, talents and abilities come together and champion one another.”

BBDO New York and Marvel partnered with the Police Athletic League of New York to help share the comic book with children each of New York’s five boroguhs via interactive educational sessions. The first of these sessions took place today at the Police Athletic League’s Harlem center, and featured a surprise visit from Iron Man. You can view a photo from the event, along with credits, after the jump. continued…

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BBDO NY/Atmosphere Proximity Nab North American Emirates Biz

Following the usual “competitive review,” BBDO NY and its sibling Atmosphere Proximity have been appointed as AORs for Emirates in North America. As a result of the airline’s move, which goes into effect August 1, Emirates not only extends a digital/social relationship with Atmosphere that’s lasted nearly a decade, but now adds BBDO to the fold as both agencies will collaborate on an integrated marketing campaign that’s expected to break late summer.

In a statement, BBDO NY president John Osborn says, “This is a great opportunity. An opportunity to build on the quality, leadership and footprint of the biggest international carrier in the world.  We are thrilled to be partnering with Atmosphere Proximity to help Emirates achieve its aggressive sales goals.”

Prior to BBDO, Emirates (which is also kicking off a global media review) worked with Boston-based ISM on its North American ad duties. This marks the second win for the agency this week following its appointment as creative agency for the ING New York City Marathon.

 

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BBDO Nabs NYC Marathon Duties

In case you didn’t scan yesterday’s Sports Business Daily, the trade reports that BBDO New York has been named creative agency for the ING New York City Marathon, which is returning after being cancelled last year of course due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. Speaking with SBD, Ronnie Tucker, VP of marketing for NYC Marathon organizers the New York Road Runners, says, “We were looking for some new thinking because of our feeling this is a unique opportunity; we have to get it right. From the beginning, BBDO showed a lot of passion for the marathon.”

We’ve also obtained a memo from sources sent from BBDO NY president/CEO John Osborn, who says among other things, “We will be responsible for developing a multi-platform communications campaign to drive awareness, tune-in, and engagement of the 2013 Marathon. We were selected for a number of reasons, not the least of which was our knowledge and success handling other key New York activities, ranging from the New York Miracle to our current efforts on behalf of New York State.  Thanks to everyone involved who helped bring home this business.”

As mentioned in the Sports Business Daily item, BBDO NY’s multimedia campaign for the NYC Marathon will launch in late September.

 

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