Doner announced significant leadership changes and new initiatives today to further strengthen its position as a data-driven, digital-first, and diverse marketing agency. Ben Grossman has been named President, as the agency aims to enhance its services at the intersection of Modern and Main Street marketing.
Grossman, who has been with Doner for three years, will continue to serve as Chief Strategy Officer of the Doner Partners Network (DPN) alongside his new role. Craig Conrad will maintain his position as Chief Operating Officer.
“Operating at the intersection of Modern and Main Street means we work every day to put modern muscle to work to drive brands’ relevance with everyday people. No one does that better for our clients than Ben,” said David DeMuth, Chair and CEO of Doner Partners Network. “Ben has proven powerful at bringing the best out of our team – and attracting some of the industry’s best talent to add to it.”
Leadership and New Roles:
- Ben Grossman, now President, will oversee the Account Services Department, continue leading the Strategy Department, and establish the agency’s first-ever Inclusive Marketing Practice.
- Alima Trapp returns to Doner as EVP, Head of Inclusive Marketing. In this role, she will drive the agency’s Inclusive Marketing Tool Set, Skill Set, and Mindset, ensuring marketing efforts reflect the diverse North American population.
- Chris Hibi joins as EVP, Head of Business Strategy from FCB Chicago, focusing on research, data, and analytics.
- Stephanie Kelly joins as EVP, Head of Brand Strategy from Digitas Chicago, driving digital-first and social-first strategies for Doner’s clients.
- Doug Guttenberg starts as EVP, Director of Integrated Studios, enhancing content development capabilities and integrating several studios into a single operation.
- Gary Pascoe steps into the newly created role of EVP, Executive Creative Director, after a decade as Chief Creative Officer at Commonwealth\McCann.
Strategic Vision:
David DeMuth, Chair and CEO of Doner Partners Network, stated, “Operating at the intersection of Modern and Main Street means we work every day to put modern muscle to work to drive brands’ relevance with everyday people. No one does that better for our clients than Ben.” Grossman’s leadership is expected to attract top industry talent and foster a collaborative culture across DPN.
Grossman emphasized the agency’s focus on data-driven, digital-first, and diverse marketing strategies, stating, “There’s a mounting client need for Doner’s ability to help brands navigate the intersection of Modern and Main Street. I’m excited to usher in the agency’s next era, focused on what we know clients need to thrive there: marketing that is more data-driven, more digital-first, and more diverse and inclusive,” said Grossman. “I have a fundamental belief that every brand’s best days can be ahead of it. I’m excited to show that, after 87 years, that’s true for the Doner brand too – particularly as we see our industry merge, marginalize, and retire iconic agency brands. Doner is set to continue to defy the odds.”
REELated:
Inclusive Marketing Practice
The newly established Inclusive Marketing Practice, led by Alima Trapp, will focus on creating marketing strategies that resonate with diverse audiences across ethnicity, age, religion, ability, income, sexual orientation, gender identity, primary language, and geographic location.
New Business and Growth
Doner has recently secured significant new business partnerships with brands such as Jiffy Lube, Saucony, Poland Spring, and Ice Mountain. These new hires and initiatives are poised to drive the agency’s continued growth and success.
All executives will begin their new roles immediately, marking a new chapter in Doner’s mission to build brands that resonate deeply with modern consumers while staying true to Main Street values.
Reel 360 News wishes Ben, Alima and everyone else at Doner the best of luck.
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