Duncan Channon Hires MJ Deery to Direct New Social Purpose Practice

San Francisco integrated advertising agency Duncan Channon this week announced the hire of MJ Deery as director of the agency’s new social purpose practice. In this newly created role, Deery will serve as one of Duncan Channon’s key creative and strategic leaders with a focus on social purpose strategy and program development for clients. 

“In an increasingly connected world and our current political climate, a brand’s values, actions and social impact matter more to consumers and employees than they arguably ever have,” said Michael Lemme, chief creative officer and partner, Duncan Channon. “We’ve always pushed for brands to matter more by building deeper, trusting relationships between our clients and their customers, so creating a dedicated purpose practice is a natural evolution for us. For our clients, it’s no longer optional or a side project. It’s a vital component of a healthy brand.”

MJ previously worked with Duncan Channon as a freelance creative director on client and new business assignments, and will report to Lemme in her new role. She is tasked with bringing the agency’s point-of-view on the essential role of social purpose in brand and marketing to current clients, developing purpose strategy and programs, and leading new business efforts in this category.

“We’ve always marvelled at MJ’s gift for strategic insight, creative leadership and artful storytelling, but it became clear we needed to create a purpose-driven role for her when she revealed a deep personal passion and understanding of how consumer expectations, social media and politics are transforming the role of brands as citizens,” added Lemme.

Prior to joining Duncan Channon, Deery had most recently worked as a freelance creative director. Before that, she served as a creative director at Mekanism where she worked on campaigns for Nordstrom, Jim Beam and Alaska Airlines. Her brand-side experience includes copywriting roles at Gap and Levi’s Strauss & Co. She earned an MFA in creative writing and literature, and has published short stories in literary journals around the country. 

“The agency’s campaigns to call out big tobacco for the California Tobacco Control Program and to herald doctors who actually listen for John Muir Health showed me they make work that matters,” said Deery. “Duncan Channon was the first agency I pitched to create this role because of their work and our shared perspective on how human connections, transparency and values shape our experience.”