R/GA LA expands leadership team
R/GA LA has expanded its executive team with three new additions. Adrian Barrow has joined in a new role as executive strategy director, Brandon Mugar has joined as co-executive creative director, and Jai Tedeschi, executive production director, is transferring from R/GA London.
This fills out a robust leadership team that includes Kalle Hellzen, co-executive creative director, Kat Friis, executive production director, US content studio, and Nicky Bell, who was recently appointed SVP, managing director.
“Since opening in 2013, we have built an incredible model that spans innovation (via our accelerator program in partnership with the LA Dodgers) to communications, and a thriving content studio,” said Sean Lyons, president, R/GA US. “In only four months Nicky has made a real impact on R/GA LA, the ability to attract top talent like Brandon, Adrian, and Jai is proof of that.”
Barrow brings 25 years of global experience to his new role, having held director-level positions at some of the world’s top marketing agencies including J. Walter Thompson, Saatchi & Saatchi, Goodby Silverstein & Partners and DMB&B. Originally from Perth, Australia, Barrow’s career has taken him to four continents where’s he’s worked across a wide variety of categories including luxury, consumer technology, telecommunications, financial services and retailing. His work has earned accolades from the likes of the Effies, AFA, Advertising Effectiveness Awards and AME Awards.
Mugar joins from Wieden + Kennedy, where he acted as freelance creative director on the Samsung account. He brings 14 years of agency experience, with a portfolio of clients that includes HBO, Adidas, Jordan, Airbnb, and Axe. His work has been honored at Cannes, One Show, Art Directors Club, Andy Awards, D&AD, London Advertising Awards, and Clio Awards. Mugar’s personal work has been showcased on One Stage, Slamdance and was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival in 2007.
Tedeschi is transferring from R/GA London, where she spent three years helping grow the office overseeing noteworthy accounts such as Beats by Dre, Nike, Heineken and Google. With Google, she produced their “2014 Year in Search” campaign proving a data-driven snapshot of humanity, and Google Outside using Google Now technology to provide location-based real-time information. Tedeschi has over 12 years of production experience, and has held leadership roles at several esteemed agencies including head of digital production at adam&eveDDB producing interactive installations and online experiences and Production Director at Lowe and AKQA. Her work has contributed to a number of awards including IAB, D&AD, Webby, Campaign Big, Tomorrow Awards, eurobest and FWA.
“Brandon joining Kalle as co-ECD, was a natural move for us given our belief in creating at the intersection of stories and systems. It will be a dynamic and complementary partnership and one that will have a real impact on our work,” said Bell. “Add to that Adrian’s diverse and very deep experience in brand strategy, and Jai and Kat innovating around our experience, tech and content production capabilities, we could not be more excited for what is to come in 2017.”