Emmy winner Steve Grimes joins AKA NYC as first chief digital officer
When your agency is all about entertainment, who better to round out your C-suite than an Emmy Award–winning executive. That’s the approach integrated entertainment advertising agency AKA took in appointing Steve Grimes to the newly-created role of chief digital officer
Steve Grimes joins AKA
Grimes will join AKA NYC’s senior executive team, reporting to managing partners Elizabeth Furze and Scott Moore. He is tasked with providing oversight on the agency’s digital output, leading its team of digital specialists, and lending his expertise to the agency’s entertainment campaigns.
“Steve impressed us immediately with his creativity and award-winning track record driving audience growth across multiple platforms and channels," Furze said in a statement. “He’ll be a crucial part in helping us develop campaigns for our clients that not only enhance the consumer experience across digital platforms, but with content that people actively seek out and share.”
Grimes has more than 20 years’ experience in digital innovation, which includes leadership positions at Comedy Central, the National Basketball Association (NBA), and Getty Images.
While at Comedy Central, Grimes led all aspects of non-linear programming — including apps, website, social media, and video-on-demand — for the network’s shows. He has received multiple Emmy nominations and trophies for Best Special Programming for “The Daily Show” and Best Interactive Event for “Night of Too Many Stars” while at Comedy Central.
While at the NBA, Grimes managed its global web properties and mobile products. He also served as managing editor and senior vice president of consumer media at Getty Images.
"What I love about AKA NYC is that they are the leader in developing entertainment franchises and delivering live experiences to an audience, two things I have spent much of my career focused on,” Grimes told The Drum.
“Whether it’s activations at the NBA Finals and All-Star games, augmented reality trading cards for Topps or helping grow fan-favorite franchises like The Daily Show or Key & Peele at Comedy Central, I am delighted that I am able to combine my experience with the talented team at AKA to help our clients leverage current and emerging digital tools to reach their customers in new and exciting ways."