Kirsten Flanik Appointed President and CEO of BBDO New York

BBDO announced today that Kirsten Flanik will become President and CEO of the New York agency. She succeeds John Osborn, who will be moving from BBDO NY to become CEO of OMD USA.

 

“We take great pride in planning for the future,” said David Lubars, BBDO Worldwide Chief Creative Officer and Chairman of BBDO North America.  “We named Kirsten as President of BBDO New York last May. With a year under her belt, she can now move seamlessly into her new role, bringing with her all of the exceptional qualities and values that made her the ideal candidate to lead the New York office in the first place.” Lubars added, “We wish Ozzy all the best in his new role.  For more than a decade he has helped orchestrate the dramatic transformation of our New York agency. I look forward to continuing to work with him on those accounts that we share with OMD as a partner agency.”

 

Since joining BBDO New York in 2006, Flanik has become one of the most outstanding leaders in the industry. In addition to being named President of BBDO New York last year, Flanik has been named a “Woman of Influence” by New York Business Journal, both a “Woman to Watch” and one of the “100 Most Influential Women in Advertising” by Ad Age, and one of the top female disruptors in advertising and tech by Adweek.  Prior to joining BBDO, she spent six years at Fallon Minneapolis and five years at BBH New York as head of account management and business development. 

 

Flanik says: “BBDO New York has changed the way it works and the way we deliver ‘The Work,’ and those efforts are paying off. Over the past year, we’ve added new business and new talent; we’ve expanded our service offerings and capabilities; and we are a more diverse and inclusive place to work. I am fortunate to have an exceptional management team already in place and to have been able to work closely with John in his role as CEO over the past 12+ months. My mission is clear: to continue to focus on our people, the work and the way we work, and to deliver innovative solutions that help drive our clients’ businesses forward.”

 

Since the start of the year, BBDO New York has added Tara DeVeaux as Chief Marketing Officer and elevated Crystal Rix to Chief Strategy Officer. In addition, in the past two months, BBDO New York has added new business including Macy’s, Lay’s and Campbell’s Chunky Soup.

 

“Kirsten has led some of our most important and successful client assignments, built and developed truly outstanding teams,” commented Andrew Robertson, President and CEO, BBDO Worldwide. “She is strong and decisive, thoughtful and persuasive, sees around corners, and has great judgement and instincts on the work”

 

Chris Thomas, CEO of BBDO in the Americas, adds: “Kirsten is going to be a great CEO for BBDO New York.  She has her feet planted in the present and her eyes fixed on the future.”