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Entertainment marketing agency AKA NYC has appointed Amanda LaFollette Blackman to the newly-created post of Senior Vice President of Creative Strategy and Experiential Design. Blackman will head the agency’s experiential offering as its creative lead, developing and overseeing the execution of experiential opportunities and initiatives for AKA’s theatrical and destination clients. She will also collaborate with other agency departments in driving integrated, idea-led thinking company-wide.

“Since our inception, AKA has forged the way in introducing new approaches and service offerings to the theatrical advertising space.” said AKA Managing Partner Elizabeth Furze. “With the diminished impact of interruptive advertising in today’s consumer-controlled economy, experiential initiatives have become essential to effective, integrated campaigns. We are delighted to welcome Amanda’s talent and unique experience to drive AKA’s experiential offering forward. She brings a wonderful pedigree in experiential marketing, exceptional insight into the culture of entertainment, and a talent for thinking big. We are thrilled to have her join our team.”

Blackman comes to AKA from brand experience agency FreemanXP where she was VP, Group Creative Director. Prior to which she spent 11 years at Jack Morton Worldwide, one of the world’s leading experiential agencies, working with clients including American Airlines, Procter & Gamble, MTV, Walmart and Microsoft. She earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

“I am excited to join AKA and re-engage with my first love: the theater,” said Blackman. “I believe passionately in storytelling, the power of ideas and the experience economy. I have been a creative director of theater, television, public events, brand experiences and campaigns. What all those things have in common is that they are about an artist, person or brand sharing a story with an important audience. That’s what I do, that's what I'm passionate about, and why I'm so excited to join AKA in forging the preeminent entertainment agency for today, and for the future.”

Blackman joins the senior team including Managing Partners Elizabeth Furze and Scott Moore, Executive Creative Director Bashan Aquart, VP/Digital Sarah Borenstein, VP/Insights and Marketing Janette Roush, Director of Client Services Elizabeth Findlay, Director of Agency Partnerships Elyce Henkin, Director of Account Strategy Melissa Marano, Director of Production Services Billy Mitchell, Content Director Jamaal Parham, Director of Media Joshua Poole and Director of Finance Ricardo Whitely.