The Escape Pod Announces New Leadership Team

Independent agency The Escape Pod announced today that it has named several new executives to its leadership team. Derek Sherman has been appointed executive creative director, Tyler Moore is director of integrated strategy, and Holly Willis is VP account director. The trio will be responsible for stewarding the next generation of creativity and business growth for the agency.

“When you are in the midst of transformation, having the right executive team to lead the way forward is mission-critical. Derek, Tyler and Holly all bring the perfect mix of qualities to take our agency into the future: proven experience in the trenches at the industry’s best integrated shops, the desire to leave the typical industry BS behind and make great work, and most importantly, they genuinely believe in the power of bold, strategic creative ideas to drive business growth,” said Celia Jones, CEO of The Escape Pod.

The Escape Pod’s new creative leader, Derek Sherman, is an award-winning creative director, writer and novelist who has led breakthrough integrated marketing campaigns for Apple, Corona, Google, Coca-Cola, Canadian Club, Miller Lite, Kellogg’s, Jim Beam, McDonald’s, Abbott Labs, Amnesty International and Sprite. His work has won multiple Gold and Silver Cannes Lions, D&AD pencils, Gold Effies, and the One Show.

Tyler Moore joined the agency as director of integrated strategy from R/GA. He has worked on bold, innovative campaigns for LIFEWTR, SVEDKA, Maytag, Sprint, Nike, and Corona Extra across digital, social and traditional. He has won multiple awards including an Epica creative award, multiple Webby Awards and a North American Effie.   

As VP account director, Holly brings more than ten years of experience on blue chip brands across CPG, spirits and beverage, entertainment, retail and electronics. Her expertise spans digital, shopper marketing and traditional brand-building campaigns. Most recently, she spent five years with FCB leading the Samsung Mobile & Services business, as well as agency marketing and new business efforts for the retail/activation division, FCB/RED. Holly has worked on iconic brands including Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Target, Netflix, Kraft Foods (now Kraft Heinz), Mondelez International, Jack Daniels, Tyson Foods, GE Appliances and 21st Century Fox.

The new executives join Ryan Dickey, who assumed the post of creative director at the agency last year. Ryan is an award-winning 15+ year creative veteran who has created cross-channel, integrated advertising for a diverse range of the world’s leading brands including Apple, Google, Volkswagen, Sony PlayStation, Orbit and Purina. He cut his teeth at top agencies including Leo Burnett, Deutsch and Energy BBDO.

“As we continue to build out capabilities to help our clients win, we need to make sure our leadership team is the best in the business. Our clients are quickly benefiting from the increased creative firepower and new expertise across channels,” said Norm Bilow, founder and managing director of The Escape Pod Group.