David&Goliath Expands Creative Department with Three Senior Hires

David&Goliath announced today the appointment of three senior creative hires to round out the Kia Motors team: Marc Schwarzberg, ECD, head of art/design; Mark Koelfgen, ECD/copywriter; and Frauke Tiemann, group creative director. The hires report to David Angelo, founder/chairman, and Bobby Pearce, chief creative officer.

“With the launch of the new Stinger and having won the IQS award over brands like Porsche and BMW, we’ve been given the opportunity to rebrand Kia like never before. So we wanted to make sure we were staffed in a way that brought strong senior leadership to every area of the business that will continue to move it forward; as well, re-introduce the world to Kia that comes from a place of strength and confidence,” said Pearce. “A big part of communicating such strong emotions comes from the look and feel of a campaign. So we hired the incredibly talented designer and leader Marc Schwarzberg as our first ever head of art, in order to ensure the work has a sense of optimism, power and beauty that makes you feel something. And we’re equally thrilled to round out the Kia team with the outstanding talents of ECD Mark Koelfgen and GCD Frauke Tiemann.”

Pearce added, “Our culture has always set us apart. Many companies today talk about being purpose-driven; however, at D&G, we live it each and every day. It’s not just something you’ll see in a new business pitch. It’s at our very core. And if you’re going to set that kind of standard for yourself, you better well find people who share that same passion. People who care as much about the work as they do for others around them. Because finding those kinds of people is the difference between success and failure. And we can proudly say all three of these people excel in both those areas.”

Marc Schwarzberg, ECD, Head of Art/Design

Schwarzberg leads art, design and product innovation for Kia. He will also assist with new business efforts and will work with the agency’s nonprofit organisation, Today I’m Brave.

He joins D&G from Crispin Porter + Bogusky, where he was creative design director (art, product innovation and new business). He worked with clients including Domino's, Infiniti (Global and USA), American Airlines (US), LetGo Miami, Hershey's US (Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, Breath Savers), Mondelēz International (Brazil) and craft beer brand Goose Island.

Since 2004, Schwarzberg has been a freelance creative artistic director at Francis Ford Coppola Presents, the umbrella for all of Francis Ford Coppola’s business ventures including design, product innovation, wineries, resorts, cafes, posters and printing for his films and projects.

Commenting on his new role, Schwarzberg said: "I am proud to be part of such a talented, fun, motivated team, especially helping to support Today, I’m Brave’s mission to inspire bravery within individuals and organisations around the world, and promoting social goodness in brands. This, I believe, will be the future of the advertising business.”

Mark Koelfgen, ECD/copywriter

Koelfgen joins D&G as ECD/copywriter where he oversees creative on Kia Motors.

He spent the last three years at Ogilvy (NY) as ECD/copywriter on IBM, Comcast and Ford. While there, he wrote the most viewed IBM commercial ever (for the Academy Awards) starring Carrie Fisher. He also wrote Ford's 'Unstuck' commercial that was ranked #9 by USA Today’s Super Bowl Ad Meter.

Before that, Koelfgen spent 11 years at mcgarrybowen (NY) where he eventually rose to chief creative officer of the New York office. During this time, Koelfgen grew the office from 70 people to over 700. He helped pitch and win blue chip accounts including Verizon, Burger King and Maserati, among others. Under his watch, the agency was named Ad Age’s US Agency of The Year (2009); and both Ad Age and Adweek named it US Agency of The Year in 2011.

Koelfgen shared: “What thrills me about working at David&Goliath is many things. First, the people, who are as brilliant as they are decent and kind. Second, the entrepreneurial spirit which I’ve always been drawn to. And finally, a deep desire to make the world a better place through active philanthropy.”

Throughout his career, Koelfgen has received industry accolades from Cannes, Communication Arts, Archive, New York Festivals, Clio, Addy and Effie. KoeIfgen currently lives in Marina Del Rey. He loves to travel and most recently spent time exploring West Africa.

Frauke Tiemann, Group Creative Director

As GCD, Tiemann is responsible for helping create breakthrough work that sets Kia apart from the competition.

Prior to joining D&G, Tiemann was GCD at Grey (NY + LA), where she led creative on key clients including Dreamworks, Disney and Hasbro Brands. Before that, she spent four years at mcgarrybowen (NY) as GCD and oversaw creative on Maserati and Verizon. Throughout her career, she’s worked at a number of prestigious agencies – including Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Innocean Worldwide, McCann SF, Y&R LA and Dentsu – across a number of well-known brands like Land Rover, Jaguar, Hyundai, Infinity, Sony, Xbox, Microsoft, Reebok and JPMorgan Chase. She’s been the recipient of numerous awards including The One Show, Cannes, Communication Arts, Archive, Clio, Addy and Effie.

Tiemann said: “It’s inspiring to work for an agency that has a tremendous creative culture but also a solid philanthropic core.”

Born, raised and schooled in Germany, Tiemann came to the US in 1998 and has lived and worked in NYC, San Francisco and LA for the past 20 years. She currently resides in LA with her husband Aryan, daughter Robin, Frenchy Igor and Chihuahua Pablo.