Cheil, IPG, WPP & More

Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG may have been the biggest agency news of the year, but it wasn’t the only move in the sector this month. We’ve gathered up some of the bigger moves made in the last couple of weeks.

Alma

Alma has appointed Jorge Murillo as co-chief creative officer, to help to steer the creative direction of two for the agency’s largest clients—McDonald’s and Molson Coors. Murillo will report to Alma’s long-serving co-president and CCO, Alvar Suñol.

Brave Bison

Media, marketing, and technology company Brave Bison has agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of global sports marketing business Engage Digital Partners in a deal totaling £11 million ($13.7 million).

Brownstein Group

Brownstein Group, Philadelphia’s largest and longest-running independent advertising and PR agency, has appointed Lisa Rios as director of brand strategy.

Cheil Worldwide

Malcolm Poynton, global chief creative officer at Cheil Worldwide, is leaving the agency after 10 years. Poynton was appointed as the network’s first global CCO in December 2014. Prior to joining Cheil Worldwide, he held positions at SapientNitro Europe, Ogilvy U.K., and Saatchi&Saatchi in Sydney.

Culture+ Group

Culture+ Group, an independent, minority-owned holding company, has added global branding agency The Ideatelier to its portfolio and launched CIEN+ Health. The group also named Roberto Ramos as group president and chief brand transformation officer, a new position.

Dentsu

Dentsu has bostered its influencer marketing capabilities with Dentsu Influence, a new practice that uses data and creativity to deliver outcomes for clients.

Finn Partners

Finn Partners won two new clients: Fin tech company Fiserv has chosen it as global agency of record after a competitive pitch, and Mandarin Oriental has selected the agency to lead communications and brand reputation for its North American luxury hospitality brands. 

Fuse

Omnicom Media Group (OMG) agency Fuse has opened a new office in Mumbai, India, led by Jigar Rambhia.

Grey

Grey has hired Emma Tonetti from Joan as global head of creative management and promoted Grey LATAM’s Florencia Kessler to global creative reputation partner, a new role at the agency.

Hawke Media

Performance marketing agency Hawke Media acquired We Are Unicorns, a boutique Seattle-based agency specializing in brand strategy and narrative marketing.

Industry

The Port of Portland, which oversees Portland International Airport (PDX) along with marine terminals and business parks, has found its first agency in Portland-based Industry, which it brought on to spearhead its new brand strategy.