About

James Mackenzie

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:34:59 GMT

Role: Research bloke. James was an early pioneer in the integration of multidisciplined, 360° brand strategies. It's his job to uncover compelling consumer insights that provide opportunities for more meaningful brand experiences.

Claims to fame: In London, survived being on the boards of both a creative ad shop and a DM agency at the same time. Led the restructure of Lloyds Bank’s direct-response strategy as a profitable brand-building medium (as opposed to a customer-torturing one). Effie winner, inventor of the whisky blending kit. Only one truly interesting fall in 20 years of horseback adventuring—so far.

Inspired by: The thrill of disorientation, loud movies on a wide screen, body language in supermarkets, games, seeing how unpaved corners of the world look from the back of a horse, link-sharers.

Past brands: Lloyds TSB, Diageo, Savoy Group of Hotels, Visa, Boeing, Pabst, Gallo, Capella University

Judy Popky

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:40:40 GMT

Role: The media guru. Judy's role is to create powerful strategies that engage people with brands on their own terms. Her team utilizes their experience in both media and technology to connect with consumers in ways that drive conversation and deliver business results.

Claims to fame: Two decades of award-winning advertising and media strategy planning experience. She was responsible for launching the Buffalo Wild Wings brand nationally and in Canada. She also developed an Effie-winning engagement plan for Lincoln Financial Group. Prior to Cole & Weber, Judy managed engagement planning for 22squared, Inc. in Atlanta, and spent eight years in media leadership positions at Ogilvy & Mather.

Sources of creativity: Painting (acrylics), reading (mysteries) and listening (bubble gum pop)… and she's good to go

Past brands: Buffalo Wild Wings, Publix, Shoe Carnival, Florida's Natural, Lincoln Financial, SunTrust, BellSouth, Kodak

John Maxham

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:40:00 GMT

Role: The creative visionary. John inspires smart, powerful and innovative ideas that build our clients’ brands and businesses.

Claims to fame: He helped transform UPS from a package delivery company to a business logistics leader. He launched Boost Mobile in the U.S., helped Heineken on its way to becoming the #1 imported beer in America and led other brand-defining campaigns for AT&T, Lexus and IBM. His awards include Cannes Lions, Clios, ANDYs, ADDYs, Effies, D&AD, London International, as well as multiple appearances in Communication Arts and Lürzer's Archive.

Inspired by: High culture, low culture, and everything in between. But if that’s not working, a triple latte usually does the trick.

Past Brands: The Ritz-Carlton, Jaguar, Lexus, Montblanc, IBM, Heineken, UPS, Boost Mobile, AT&T, Four Seasons, Air New Zealand, LEGO

Mike Doherty

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:38:53 GMT

Role: The boss. Mike oversees client strategy and agency operations—and explores new ways to expand the boundaries of traditional advertising to create a business impact for clients.

Claims to fame: Mike’s work has been recognized in international award shows, and he is often an expert contributor to Brandweek, Creativity, and Archive magazines. His first agency, AKA, was named by Advertising Age as one of advertising’s “hot shops to watch.”

Inspired by: Traveling, running, learning anything new

Past brands: Pabst, TiVo, Tillamook, Subaru, Gold Toe, Kellogg

Britt Peterson

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:33:19 GMT

Role: The "what if & why not" girl. Britt’s role is to stimulate growth for our clients’ businesses as well as our own—working to exploit opportunities and serve as a catalyst for innovation.

Claims to fame: Managed United Airlines’ global business for five years through September 11th. Led an integrated initiative to brand a country—The Islands of the Bahamas. Launched the T-Mobile Sidekick. Her work has been recognized in Communications Arts, the One Show and Cannes, and has been featured in Juicing the Orange and Brand Apart.

Inspired by: People watching, uncovering cool “local” spots around the world, media of all kinds (yes, even reality TV), March Madness (long live underdogs), great minds, young people, people’s growing “friend” lists

Past brands: United, Starbucks, Virgin Mobile, Timberland, HP, Coinstar, RealNetworks