DDB NY has strengthened its management team with two promotions and two new hires. Melissa Martinez, former group business director, has been promoted to chief marketing officer, and Michael Collins, former global business director, has been upped to managing partner. In addition, Alexander Rea has been brought in as creative technology officer, and Kimberly Bernhardt will join the organization as managing partner.
Martinez joined DDB New York two and a half years ago, and has successfully led multiple integrated communications teams during her tenure. Most recently as group business director Martinez led integrated communications planning for the New York Lottery, and digital innovation initiatives and platform development for State Farm. In the newly created role of CMO, Martinez will be responsible for new business development, driving organic growth and leading key strategic marketing initiatives for the agency including introducing potential clients to DDB Flex, the agency’s new agency model for client service in the US.
Rea joins DDB New York as CTO from Framestore where he was head of creative technology. There, he worked on Lockheed Martin’s “Field Trip to Mars” which earned 19 Cannes Lions. Previous to Framestore he served as technology experience lead at Co: Collective. This new role is responsible for providing technology leadership and oversight for all of the agency’s projects and directs the technology strategy, development and execution. Rea’s new position is a modern creative refresh on the traditional role that experiments, invents and guides creative and strategic thinking to deliver innovative digital solutions.
As managing partner, Collins becomes further accountable for fostering an environment of collaboration and creativity, driving successful work for DDB New York’s clients, and building positive, enduring agency/client partnerships in his group, which includes clients such as Merck, Lilly, Huawei, and Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies. Prior to assuming his new role, he led integrated agency teams for Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon global surgery business. In addition, he has extensive channel knowledge including digital, sales, advertising, database analytics, and PR.
Bernhardt joins the agency from Glamour, where she served as executive director of communications and had oversight of all communications, including brand development, PR, events, partnerships and special projects. In her role, she built a number of major brand initiatives that ranged from women’s issues and politics to fashion. She most recently spearheaded Glamour’s Women of the Year. Prior to Glamour, Bernhardt was the executive vice president at Edelman on the global and U.S. Unilever business. In her role, she provided the spectrum of communications for Dove and other marquee personal care brands.
Stadium Signs Director Henry Behel For U.S. Commercial Representation
Stadium has added director Henry Behel to its U.S. commercial roster. Behel has directed campaigns for global brands such as Apple, Jeep, GMC, Ford, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy and many more.
Behel is an experienced backcountry pilot whose aviation background helps him reinvent the way the camera can move in three dimensions. As an accomplished documentarian, Behel has turned out award-winning films which have unlocked a unique point of view of planes and automobiles. His latest film, 26,000 days, has won multiple film festivals and was recently featured in the Directors Library. Prior to joining Stadium, Behel had most recently been repped in the ad market by Picture North. He is also an alum of SHOOT’s 2021 New Directors Showcase.
“Henry’s mastery of storytelling supplements an exciting dimension of our roster, bringing a fresh perspective that perfectly complements our existing talent and pushes creative boundaries,” said Tracie Norfleet, executive producer at Stadium. “Henry’s experience as a pilot allows him to place the camera in unique, unexpected places, creating perspectives that bring an entirely new dimension to his work. Alongside his technical prowess, he has an exceptional ability to cultivate authentic human performances and cast talent whose presence feels genuine and impactful.”
“Henry’s innovative approach to storytelling sets him apart in this industry,” said Tyler Sgueglia, exec producer and head of production at Stadium. “His passion for creating visually arresting, emotionally impactful work perfectly aligns with Stadium’s mission to produce content that resonates and inspires. We’re excited to welcome him to the roster and look forward to the exceptional projects he will... Read More