Mike Roe Joins Hanson Dodge as Chief Creative Officer

Mike Roe has joined full-service, independent agency Hanson Dodge as chief creative officer and a member of the leadership team. He will succeed Chris Buhrman who announced his retirement effective the end of this month after 10 years with the agency. Mike joins from Milwaukee-based Hoffman York where he was executive creative director.

The award-winning creative leader, whose mantra is “to make something is to learn something,” has been at his craft for 25 years. His experience includes serving as executive creative director at Energy BBDO in Chicago in addition to senior creative roles at Carmichael Lynch, mcgarrybowen, Razorfish, Gravity Labs and, most recently, Hoffman York. His breadth of experience ranges from packaged foods to personal care, tourism to spirits, financial services, pharma, retail, confections and more.  And his client portfolio boasts such recognisable clients and brands as Mars/Wrigley, Henkel, SC Johnson, Jim Beam, Bud Light, LL Bean, USAA, Smuckers, Kleenex, Aldi, Citi and Oscar Mayer, to name but a few. His work has won EFFIEs, Lions and One Show Pencils and been featured on the pages of prestigious creative journals such as Communication Arts and Luerzer’s Archive.

Commented Stacie Boney, president of Hanson Dodge, “I worked closely with Mike for 10 years at Energy BBDO where he led award-winning work for Wrigley’s 5 and Orbit gums, as well as SC Johnson’s Raid and Ziploc brands. Those campaigns impressively demonstrated how to use creativity to drive client’s business success. I am a huge fan and have followed Mike’s career closely, including chapters building digital and small agency experience. When the opportunity arose to identify a new creative leader for Hanson Dodge, I jumped at the chance to bring Mike on board.” She added, “Aside from being a brilliant creative leader, Mike also shares the agency’s passion for serving clients and nurturing people. I am so excited to reunite with him to help us make the next great leap together.”

Mike will succeed Chris Buhrman who announced his retirement following 10 years with the agency and nearly 40 years in the business. Chris was part of the team that helped the agency win its first-ever EFFIE Award for KEEN Utility and launch new campaigns on behalf of Creminelli Foods, Green Gobbler, NOW, Healthy MKE and more. During his tenure, Hanson Dodge was named to ADWEEK’s “Fastest Growing Agencies” list and was recognised as a Small Agency Silver Winner in the Midwest by Ad Age.

“We are so appreciative of Chris and the contributions he has made to the agency over the past 10 years. On behalf of everyone at HD, thank you, Chris, for your role in making HD a great place to work. Wishing you great joy in retirement, including hiking, biking and wonderfully random experiences,” said Stacie.

Mike’s arrival marks the start of what HD believes will be a strong year, building off its success in 2024 which saw the agency experience double-digit revenue growth and add multiple new clients and assignments. Among these were LIXIL North America (the biggest account win in agency history), Ruffwear performance gear for dogs, JOJO’s Chocolate, and the B2B brands Baxter Planning and Grey/Orange. It was also awarded new assignments from existing clients including fireside MARKET from Potawatomi Ventures and digital services for the Utah Office of Tourism.

“My goal is quite simple,” said Mike. “I want to help grow Hanson Dodge’s creative reputation as the best agency in Milwaukee and beyond, with work that builds clients’ brands by defying expectations, has never been done before and inspires envy among our peers.”

He assumes his new role this month.