People on the move: Hires and departures at Unilever, Thorntons, Kik and more

Unilever has named Graeme Pitkethly, its current UK executive vice-president, as its new chief financial officer.

Pitkethly will succeed Jean-Marc Huët who has held the position since 2010.

Thorntons

Thorntons has announced that its chief executive officer, Jonathan Hart, is to resign from his directorship and role as chief executive officer with effect from 27 June.

No further detail was forthcoming on the management change but Thorntons has appointed Barry Bloomer, currently serving as chief operating officer, as chief executive on an interim basis.

Kik

Messaging service Kik has appointed Josh Jacobs, former chief executive of Omnicom Group's programmatic trading desk Accuen, as its president of services.

While Kik already offers promoted chats, it is hoped that Jacobs will help build brand partnerships.

Jacobs will also be tasked with spearheading the opening of Kik’s Los Angeles office.

Endemol Shine

Endemol Shine UK has bolstered the digital team at its multi-channel network (MCN) ChannelFlip, as two of its directors are set to resign.

Jules Fuller, currently commercial executive producer at Endemol Shine, has been appointed creative director, whilst Caroline Reik, head of branded partnerships, has been promoted to director of branded content.

In addition Riyad Barmania has been promoted to content director, while the MCN's current creative director Jamie Lennox and commercial director Matt Rook will step down from their roles early in the summer.

Sprint

Kevin Crull, who previously served as president and chief executive officer of Bell Media, has been named chief marketing officer at Sprint.

In this role, he will be tasked with attracting new customers and advancing the company’s push for more innovation. He will also be responsible for all digital and social efforts.

Wunderman

Wunderman UK has hired Lauren Pleydell-Pearce as creative director in a boost to its creative offering.

Pleydell-Pearce, former design director at Fabric, will work across the agency’s range of clients assisting on content, digital and social projects.

Whilst at Fabric Pleydell-Pearce was part of the team behind KFC's 'It doesn’t count if...' social media campaign, which won a British Arrows Gold in 2013.

David & Goliath

David & Goliath (D&G) has revamped its creative team with 12 new hires, including three creative directors: Brandon Davis, Nick Hine, and Rick Utzinger.

Other hires include art directors, copywriters, and an associate creative director.

Previously Davis freelanced in New York and worked at Wieden + Kennedy. Hine served as a global executive creative director at TBWA\Chiat\Day. Utzinger was also at TBWA\Chiat\Day where he served as a creative director.

Partners + Napier NYC

Creative agency Partners + Napier NYC (PNYC) has appointed Ted Florea, who formerly served as head of brand strategy at Droga5, as its first chief strategy officer.

In this role, he will be responsible for the strategic leadership of all existing PNYC business, which includes the Outdoor Advertising Association of America and ShopKeep.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Florea served as a freelance brand strategy consultant prior to joining PNYC. Before that, he spent three years as head of brand strategy at Droga5.

MEC

MEC has hired former AppNexus solutions engineer Martin Beauchamp as its first head of programmatic strategy as the agency looks to ramp up its expertise in the sector.

Beauchamp spent two years at AppNexus where he led new business in EMEA.

He joins the data team which is led by David Fletcher, chief data officer at MEC, and has been tasked with helping clients understand and adapt programmatic technologies.

Siteworx

Digital experience agency Siteworx has promoted president Ken Quaglio to chief executive officer and founder Tim McLaughlin to board chairman.

Quaglio joined Siteworx as president and chief creative officer last summer to oversee direction, growth, and long-term profitability. Through his career, he has held senior positions at firms including Ernst & Young and EDS.

The Market Creative

Retail and brand agency The Market Creative has strengthened its creative, account handling and business development teams with six new appointments following a strong start to the year.

Jeff Dillon has been appointed as senior art director, and is joined by Stuart Keates, who has been appointed as a creative artworker.

In addition, Nikita Lewis has taken the position of business development manager to grow the agency’s retail and brand portfolio, whilst Shaun Watson takes an account manager role and James Kay has been appointed as an account manager for Grafton Merchanting GB.

Cultura United

Holding company MDC Partners has teamed up with one of its agencies, Doner, to launch Cultura United Agency.

The new multicultural agency aims to bring together “specialized full-service advertising and public relations expertise with deep insights across Hispanic, African American and Asian audiences,” according to a statement.

Based in Los Angeles, Cultura United will be led by Anita Albán Gastelum. Previously, she was on the executive leadership team at IPG’s multicultural agency Axis.

DLKW Lowe

DLKW Lowe has appointed Anna Vogt to the newly created role of head of planning.

Previously strategy director and partner at BBH London, Vogt has a strong track record in digital product and service innovation and a portfolio that has been creatively, commercially and culturally awarded.

The appointment comes as DLKW Lowe continues to build on its growth and integrated account offering.

Ensighten

Ensighten has appointed industry veteran Ian Woolley to lead its growing EMEA team.

Woolley has almost 20 years of experience in the industry and joins Ensighten following his role as chief commercial officer at Visual DNA.

His appointment follows a succession of senior hires this year, including Jerome Cail, who joined Ensighten from Tealium, Lars Schleibach who joined from IBM, and Alexander Gaertner from Adobe.

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