Independent agency Zulu Alpha Kilo (Z.A.K.)—with offices in New York, Toronto, and Vancouver—has brought Jordan Hamer and Spencer Ryan aboard as executive creative directors.
Hamer and Ryan have crafted campaigns for major brands including McDonald’s, Flight Centre, and SickKids. Their work has earned top honors, including multiple One Show and D&AD awards. Their ‘‘Follow the Arches” campaign for McDonald’s took home the Cannes Grand Prix, turning the brand logo into a wayfinding system and a global campaign that ran in multiple countries.
Most recently VPs and executive creative directors at the Toronto office of One Twenty Three West, they join Z.A.K. during a period of explosive creative growth and new client wins across North America.
“With so many new opportunities before us, Jordan and Spencer are the perfect leaders as we enter a new era of creative growth,” said Jenny Glover, CCO at Zulu Alpha Kilo. ”They will not only lead multiple businesses, but they will also be a hands-on duo, crafting work that will help set the creative bar even higher.”
Zak Mroueh, founder and creative chairman of Z.A.K., said, “Jordan and Spencer are a creative powerhouse. I’ve always admired their entrepreneurial spirit and the high caliber of their work. At every agency they’ve been part of, they’ve earned deep respect from both their clients and peers.”
Hamer and Ryan join Z.A.K. as the shop experiences noteworthy momentum. Alongside a surge of new client growth, including partnerships with brands like Hershey Canada, the independent shop has been building out its next generation of creative leaders with a slew of hires and promotions. Recently, Z.A.K. welcomed former creative team Nick Doerr and Gui Bermejo back to the company, from Ogilvy Canada, as group creative directors. Additionally, Z.A.K. promoted veteran creative directors George Ault and Jacob Gawrysiak to group creative directors and creative team Carlos Veras and Dylan Thompson to associate creative directors, while former Droga5 creative director Chris Colliton was named as Z.A.K. NY’s first executive creative director.
“Z.A.K. has put together such a strong team,” shared Hamer and Ryan in a joint statement. “So to be asked to help lead this group with Jenny is both flattering and exciting. Zak’s built an agency with incredible creative ambition and a great roster of clients, and their seemingly endless upward momentum made it a great time to join. We can’t wait to get going.”
