VML Announces Two New CCOs for North America

Today, VML Global Chief Creative Officer Debbi Vandeven announced the promotions of John Godsey and Mike Wente to the roles of North American chief creative officers, in addition to the hire of Craig Badynee as director, creative recruiting – with all of these positions reporting to Vandeven.

The promotions will allow Vandeven to focus on expanding VML’s global client base, as well as providing leadership that builds and strengthens the agency’s creative work and talent across the world.

Godsey and Wente have been an instrumental part of VML’s new business wins in 2016 including New Balance and Electrolux/Frigidaire.  The new roles will oversee creative for VML offices across the U.S.

John Godsey

Godsey currently leads the creative department at VML’s global headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.

“John excels at creating brand ideas that change perceptions and blur the lines between advertising and entertainment,” Vandeven said. “In 2010, after joining VML to lead branded content creation, John was quickly promoted to executive creative director where he led efforts for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.”

Godsey spearheaded the “Everything to Prove” branded content series for Gatorade that won a silver Lion in 2012. Since then, John’s leadership has helped bring home more than 20 more Lions for VML, including for work such as Wendy’s Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger Love Songs and Nashville’s For the Love of Music. This work also garnered multiple wins at the One Show, CLIO Awards, New York Festivals, ANDY Awards and London International Awards.

Godsey has served on international award show juries, including Dubai Lynx, New York Festivals, Webby, and multiple Addy and One Show juries.

Mike Wente

Wente joined VML in 2007 and currently serves as managing director and executive creative director of VML New York.

“Known for his creative insight and passion for ideas, Mike has moved comfortably between all disciplines of marketing for a wide range of clients,” Vandeven said. “Possessing strong leadership skills and a never say quit attitude, he believes great ideas are meant not to just sell things but to create an obsession for the brand."

In 2012, Wente took the helm of managing the New York office in addition to leading creative. Over the last four years under Wente’s leadership the office has more than doubled in size and developed a strong culture centered on creativity with brands like the International Olympic Committee, New Balance, Chevron, LEGOLAND Florida Resort, and Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Wente has served on international award show juries, including New York Festivals, Webby, One Show and Addy juries. 

Craig Badynee

VML has hired Craig Badynee as director, creative recruiting. Badynee will be based in Chicago and concentrate on leading talent acquisition for VML’s creative teams across the U.S.

Badynee has more than a dozen years of experience creative recruiting for traditional agencies such as JWT and FCB, in addition to digital-heavy shops like DigitasLBi and award-winning design boutiques like Digital Kitchen.  At DigitasLBi, Badynee hired for multiple executive creative positions and helped strengthen each of their teams – at all levels – nationally and internationally. In 2016 alone, he was responsible for hiring creatives from across the world including Brazil, China, England and Norway. 

“Craig is tapped into the industry and cultural trends, he is resourceful and energetic and has a unique music background that enhances his own creative skills in this position,” Vandeven said. “His addition to the team further strengthens our recruitment reach.”

Debbi Vandeven is one of only a handful of female global chief creative officers. In 2016, she was named to Adweek’s Creative 100 and helped lead VML to being named on the Advertising Age Agency A-List.  Her achievements also include being recognized in Ad Age’s Women to Watch 2014.

Since joining VML in 2000, she has led creative engagements for global brands such as Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Gatorade, Kellogg, MasterCard, PepsiCo, QuikTrip, Sprint and Wendy’s.

Her creative leadership has enabled VML to become one of the top global agencies, with 28 offices on six continents and 2,600 employees worldwide.

Debbi has served on international award show juries, including ANDY Awards, Art Directors Club, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, CLIO Awards, IAB MIXX Awards, Loeries, New York Festivals and One Show Interactive.

VML’s creative teams have earned recognition from top international shows, including 11 Lions and 25 shortlist recognitions across 12 categories at the 2016 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, as well as ANDY Awards, Art Directors Club, CLIO Awards, Effie Awards, Facebook Awards, London International Awards, New York Festivals, One Show, Spikes Asia, Tomorrow Awards and Webby Awards.