VMLY&R has hired two new creative leads for its creative department. Cinzia Crociani and Emily Sander join as executive creative directors, based in New York and reporting to VMLY&R NY chief creative officer Wayne Best. 

Crociani has spent more than 15 years working and leading multidisciplinary teams across Europe, Asia, and North America. She joins VMLY&R most recently from, McCann New York where she led Mastercard North America. 

While working in Asia she won the first Innovation Lion for the country of Singapore and in her first year working in the United States she created an opioid awareness campaign that impacted the lives of millions and was hosted at the White House. Most recently, she helped launch Mastercard’s “True Name” a first of its kind feature that lets Trans and Nonbinary individuals safely and proudly use the name they choose on their credit card. These are just few examples of her work, which has been consistently recognized by international award shows as reflected in such honors as a Cannes Lions Grand Prix, and a D&AD Black Pencil.

Crociani has worked on global and Fortune 500 brands such as P&G, Unilever, Coca-Cola, L’Oréal, IKEA, Ferrero and Mastercard. 

In her new role, Crociani will focus on Campbells Snacks brands including Pepperidge Farm, Snyder’s of Hanover and more; EmblemHealth; as well as new business and support on a range of accounts across the agency’s New York office. 

Meanwhile Sander is an award-winning creative director with over 18 years of experience working across various disciplines in the advertising industry.

She most recently led Edgewell brands at MullenLowe US, guiding multiple beauty and wellness brands to global campaigns across film, social, digital and activation. Prior to this, Sander embraced the expansive world of brand storytelling at agencies such as Translation, 360i, JWT and Momentum, working on brands ranging from State Farm to McDonald’s, HBO, American Express and Macy’s.  In addition, she has spent time in education as the chair of the department of advertising and branding at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Sander is highly invested in diversity and inclusion causes, providing her voice as chair of the programming committee for the 4A’s Foundation Board and a contributor to Do the WERQ advisory council for LGBTQIA+ representation in the industry.

In her new role, Sander will focus on the Altice and New Balance accounts and new business.