Jennifer Zimmerman, global chief strategy officer at mcgarrybowen, unveiled changes in the agency’s U.S. strategic leadership. Jamie Shuttleworth has been promoted from chief strategy officer of the Chicago office to U.S. chief strategy officer and will have responsibility for leading strategy across mcgarrybowen’s U.S. presence, currently with offices in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. Shawna Ross, formerly EVP of strategy, has been elevated as well and will take the strategy leadership reins from Shuttleworth as the new chief strategy officer for Chicago.
Zimmerman held the dual role of U.S. chief strategy officer and global chief strategy officer. When mcgarrybowen recently announced its new unified global structure aimed at driving growth for a growing list of global clients, it presented the ideal time to promote “our best” to serve the U.S. market, explained Zimmerman. “Jamie’s more than a brilliant strategist—he also embodies the heart of who we are as an agency and what we value. He has built and nurtured an amazing team in Chicago, including Shawna. Together, they are a killer combo. We’re lucky to have them and are so happy to be able to provide a bigger stage for them both.”
Shuttleworth’s career leading strategy for blue-chip clients spans nearly every category and includes such companies as Kraft Heinz, Disney, Quaker, Gatorade, Coors, Volkswagen, SC Johnson, Dow Chemical, Mattel, Yum!, Brown Forman, and the Chicago Cubs. Shuttleworth found his way into the advertising business through the Alaskan oil fields where he learned a little about oil and a lot about perseverance. Y&R appreciated that odd path and the stories that came with it so that is where he started his career. From there, he went to FCB Chicago, where he eventually rose to CSO. He joined Foote, Cone & Belding and following the 2006 merger of Draft and FCB, he became the chief strategic planning officer for the combined entity. He joined mcgarrybowen Chicago as chief strategy officer in 2012, where he inspired his clients with forward-facing ideas that have earned a fair share of Effies and other awards along the way).
Ross began her career on the account side at Y&R Chicago, where she worked on large national brands including Sears, Kraft, and Jim Beam Brands. At Chicago Creative Partnership, she leveraged her energy for strategy and consumer insights to build a planning department. This led Ross to make her way to Energy BBDO, leading strategy across multiple Bayer Healthcare brands, Shedd Aquarium, and The Art Institute of Chicago. Ross made her way to mcgarrybowen Chicago in 2010 to lead planning for Kraft and quickly found herself promoted to executive director. She has been leading strategy on Kraft Heinz and Clorox, developing smart strategies and compelling work. Ross’s experience and passion around activating brand behavior have landed her sought-after speaking engagements at Cannes and the ANA’s Masters of Marketing. She is a regular guest lecturer at Northwestern’s Medill School of Communications, a member of the 4A’s Strategy Committee, and serves as an Effie’s juror most years.
