Truant Recruits Toni Gaventa to Lead Growing PizzaExpress Account

Truant London, having doubled in size after winning high-profile accounts including Pepsi, PizzaExpress and Virgin, has appointed Toni Gaventa – formerly of Crispin Porter Bogusky, Sky TV and Fiat UK – as business director.

Having previously worked in both creative agencies (Crispin Porter Bogusky, Iris, Krow) and in-house within the brand and marketing teams of Sky TV, Fiat UK and Just Eat Takeaway, Gaventa brings invaluable experience in delivering results-driven multichannel campaigns.  

Gaventa – who will report into Truant’s co-founder and CEO, Chris Jefford – will take overall responsibility for the agency’s PizzaExpress account. Her remit includes helping the brand gain an unfair share of attention, solving business challenges and driving creative excellence. 

In addition, Gaventa will develop long term growth opportunities for both Pizza Express and Truant, while also sitting on the agency’s newly-created talent-nurturing client services leadership team.

Truant has undertaken a recruitment drive following a period of significant growth, which saw the agency double in size as it capitalised on both its fierce independence and its unique advertising, media and music offering to secure a raft of new accounts that include Belazu, GWI (formerly known as Global Web Index), Lickd, Pepsi and PizzaExpress. 

Truant’s co-founder and CEO, Chris Jefford, said: “Toni’s diverse agency and client-side experience, infectious enthusiasm, ambitious flair and nurturing leadership style is exactly the profile we were looking for with this hire. It speaks volumes of our own agency ambition - as well as Toni’s - that we were able to bring her in, and I’m incredibly excited about where she might take us.

Toni Gaventa added: “I’m honoured to have the opportunity to work with such a talented, hungry and genuinely lovely group of people. And I can’t wait to help drive the PizzaExpress business forward at what is a crucial time for the brand.”