Kumi Croom Named Managing Director at Indie Agency Duncan Channon

Independent full-service agency Duncan Channon has announced that it has promoted Kumi Croom to the newly created role of Managing Director from Director of Collaboration and Equity. She will oversee the project management and account management teams, and will continue to lead the company’s EDI efforts.

During her nearly six years at Duncan Channon, Croom has served as a champion for equity and representation, reimagining the agency’s recruitment, retention and EDI consciousness by creating its EDI Group, which she has led since 2019. The group includes staffers who are passionate about driving change in the agency’s BIPOC talent recruitment and retention efforts, as well as its culture and ways of reflecting diverse perspectives. Croom operationalised a culturally sensitive approach to ensure representation in the agency’s creative work, and built a Black/African American Culture Practice. In addition she has led the roll out of EDI training programs for the agency.

Croom served as group account director beginning in 2017, leading the California Department of Public Health Tobacco Control Program account. In this role, she helped drive the work’s breakthrough success in changing perceptions about vaping and the use of flavored tobacco among the state’s multicultural residents. In the peak of the pandemic, Croom assembled an integrated cross-agency team to win the California Department of Public Health business, and develop a campaign to build trust in COVID-19 vaccines.

Previously, Croom held roles with Kenwood Experiences, ATTIK and Young & Rubicam, where she worked with clients including Evivo and Docker and JPMorgan Chase. She also led multicultural marketing campaigns for McDonald’s, Burger King and First Five California. Croom obtained her degree in journalism from San Diego State and began her career writing for the 11 O’Clock News on CBS 8 San Diego.

“I am honoured to take on this role and look forward to working with a larger cross section of team members,” said Croom. “Being an independent shop allows us to make meaningful changes and take risks. I welcome the opportunity to join the partners in helping to sculpt the culture of the agency and add my ideas as we continue to grow.”

“Kumi has been a tremendous asset to the Duncan Channon team over the past six years. The role we have created will allow Kumi to shape our agency culture and continue to improve the way we deliver to our clients,” said Andy Berkenfield, CEO and Partner. “She will lead the charge on our commitment to internal EDI efforts and help clients navigate broader societal issues, ensuring our work is representative, culturally-sensitive and relevant to diverse audiences.”