Code and Theory Reinvents Agency Production
Recognising the fundamental shift needed to service clients, Code and Theory has retooled its production capabilities from the ground up. It has tapped Julia LaRose and Christine Clark as co-heads of production to lead the new, modernised capabilities.
Because of the growing demand for more consultative services and the deep integration of AI, Code and Theory re-evaluated everything about its production capabilities to better leverage its unique mix of 50% engineers and 50% creatives at scale. They will be tasked with accelerating the delivery of products and services as well as helping clients reinvent their marketing tech stacks and transform their overall marketing ecosystems.
Joining from Accenture, Julia applies a more consultative lens to the role. With over 25 years of business and technology management experience, she has spent the last four in senior marketing operations at Accenture. Julia has a long, impressive track record with delivery integration and management, operations and strategic growth initiatives. Before Accenture, she held senior roles at EsssenceMediacom and Razorfish, servicing clients such as Google, Microsoft, Best Buy, Alaska Airlines, and many more. She will lead an integrated team as head of production, Integrated and Product.
To bring more of a modern, AI-first mindset to the role, Christine joins from Thinkingbox where she spent nearly a decade. There, she served as managing partner, focusing on operations and production. Her experience spans an array of clients and project types, including experiential, digital, social, and film. Christine has worked with such brands as Amazon, AMEX, Discord, Pinterest, Genesis Motors, IKEA and L'Oréal. Prior to Thinkingbox, Christine has gained experience with AAA games, mobile games, VFX and app development. She is head of production, Marcom.
Dan Gardner, co-founder of Code and Theory, says, "Julia and Christine understand the changing landscape and are setting the vision for how creative and technical production should be done. We’ve entirely rethought the production function to maximise value for our clients using modern technology. We live in a time where clients need to move quickly with agility and efficiency to stay competitive. We have the emerging technologies that enable client success. Now with Julia and Christine, we have the leadership and process to maximize our tools and talent.”
These executive additions are the latest for Code and Theory, building upon a year of historic transformation in which they were named Ad Age Business Transformation Agency of the Year and the ANA’s B2B Marketing Agency of the Year. Earlier this year, Raj Bhatia, formerly of Deloitte Digital, was named global chief technology officer, and Craig Elimeliah, formerly of VML and Lippe Taylor, was brought on as chief creative officer.
Julia says, "We are changing the way the agency model is run so that we are better prepared to support and lead the transformation of our clients’ businesses. Code and Theory is so appealing because they are not tied to traditional, legacy-agency thinking. This gives Christine and I the freedom to reinvent the role of production for the needs of tomorrow versus focusing on fixing the broken systems of the past.”
Christine says, "Technology is moving faster than ever before. Code and Theory offers a special opportunity to harness innovative technologies in unexpected ways for our clients and our talent. Julia and I strongly advocate for developing the next future leaders and maximising technology enablement to drive the most effective outcomes. We can't wait to cultivate an inclusive and collaborative work environment with the team."
