Crispin Rounds Out Executive Creative Team and Invests in Female Leadership

Above (from left to right): Kim Baskinger (NYC), Caroline Thomas (HTX), Adrienne Adair (HTX), and Ben Majoy (LA).

On its mission to leave the advertising world better than they found it, media and creative agency Crispin has strengthened its executive creative team with the addition of executive creative director Kim Baskinger in New York. Kim rounds out a team of four of ECD’s across Crispin’s North America hubs in New York, Houston, and Los Angeles, reporting to chief creative officer Steve Denekas, who joined Crispin earlier this year. These moves are a part of a larger agency commitment to investing in female creative leadership, with Crispin now reaching 60% female-led (executive creative director and above). 

“I’m all too familiar with being the only female leader, from the boardroom to the military. As a result, I deeply care about leveling the playing field to redefine what leadership looks like today,” said CEO Maggie Malek. “As creatives, it’s our job to create impactful messaging that resonates with everyone, and we can’t do that unless our team reflects the world around us. This will always be an ongoing assessment at Crispin.” 

Crispin’s ECD team now includes:

• In NYC, Kim Baskinger, an award-winning creative with over 15 years of industry experience. Kim has crafted social, digital, and integrated campaigns for brands such as American Express, Campbell’s, Comcast, Starbucks, Twix, Visa and more. Prior to joining Crispin, she held roles at Saatchi & Saatchi, VaynerMedia, Havas, and BBDO NY.   
• In Houston, Caroline Thomas and Adrienne Adair. Caroline was elevated to ECD earlier this year, joining Adrienne. Both have long standing tenure with the company, previously working with CEO Maggie Malek at MMI Agency. Adrienne holds 28 years of industry experience, and 19 with MMI, building brands including Deloitte, MD Anderson, along with numerous P&G brands like Olay, Zevo and more. While at MMI for over seven years, Caroline led creative on multiple beauty brands across Amazon, SK-II, L'Oréal, and Rare Beauty Brands. 
• In LA, Ben Majoy, who was also recently elevated this year. Ben has a wealth of experience across music, entertainment, journalism, advertising, coming to Crispin by way of merger with brand entertainment shop Observatory. He’s made award winning work for Toyota, 19 Crimes, MLB, Netflix, Taco Bell to name a few. Ben is no stranger to Crispin. In 2011, he joined as a producer, where he brought to life some of the agency’s more adventurous projects at the time, including a 30-date tour of the country with (and sometimes as) the Burger King. 

“The stats and numbers are great, but it’s deeper than that. We are working to build a creative culture that allows space to challenge perspectives and push ideas further to get to great work,” said Steve. “All of us have that responsibility, and everyone has to bring talent that can change everything.”

In addition, 41% of new hires made in 2024 have been diverse and among new hires 73% identify as female. To further support the investment in senior creative talent, the mid-size agency has bolstered both learning and development programs and benefits to support leadership trajectories, retain talent and address some of the barriers faced in today’s workplace. This includes career counselling and 1:1 mentorship, new salary review system, best-in-class inclusive care, and parental support programs.