Barkley has hired Jessica Walden-Morden to serve as creative director. In her new role at the Kansas City agency, she will lead creative work for WingStop, Vanity Fair, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Children’s Health.

Previously, Walden-Morden started her career at Fallon and arrives at Barkley following four years at Publicis. She has traveled the globe creating an award­-winning campaign for Cadillac and built a radical rebrand of American Girl that sought to redefine girlhood for modern times. She has worked on broad-reaching accounts such as T-­Mobile, Aflac, Totino’s Pizza, and Eddie Bauer.

Walden-Morden was drawn to Barkley because of its independent spirit. “Barkley is a force behind really good work that does real good. Any agency can talk about standing by the big idea, but Barkley has the independence and courage to make it happen—and I can’t wait make it happen together,” she said.

Barkley EVP/executive creative director Katy Hornaday, said that the shop spent nine months interviewing assorted candidates for the creative director’s position before finding Walden-Morden whom Hornaday described as “a true leader to help build Barkley’s future.”