Atlanta-based agency Trade School has appointed veteran creative leader Justin Bilicki as chief creative officer, signaling the agency’s continued evolution as the creative arm of Chalkboard Ventures.
Bilicki joins the independent agency from Doner, where he most recently served as EVP and executive creative director. His appointment comes as Trade School expands its creative offerings and adds new business, while sister agency 22squared transitions into a full-service media agency.
“We are so proud to announce Justin in this role, at a significant moment in our agency’s creative momentum,” said Genna Franconi, founder of Trade School and CEO of both Trade School and 22squared under Chalkboard Ventures. “Justin is a rare breed. He’s a creatively fierce and decorated leader, but guides the work and his teams with humility and intuition. He is the right leader to help us accomplish our mission of creating work that truly takes hold.”
Bilicki brings more than 20 years of agency experience, including senior creative leadership positions at BBDO, Grey, MullenLowe and Anomaly. Throughout his career, he has overseen work for a broad range of national and global brands, including Snickers, Twix, Reese’s, Subway, FedEx, Ally, Saucony, Tylenol, Schick and fairlife.
In his new role, Bilicki will oversee Trade School’s creative and production departments, a team of nearly 40 people serving clients including The Home Depot and Baskin-Robbins.
The hire reflects a broader period of growth for the agency, which launched in 2020 and has increasingly positioned itself as a creative-first partner within the Chalkboard Ventures portfolio.
“Trade School brings together an exceptional mix of people, process and product. It’s a winning combination, and I’m thrilled to help lead the agency’s creative future,” noted Bilicki. “What makes this moment especially exciting is the opportunity, as an independent agency, to move with true focus and speed, more like a speedboat than an aircraft carrier. That agility creates a culture that is excited by change and enables us to put forward the best creative work for clients that drives real business results.”
Bilicki’s arrival follows a string of new account wins and further strengthens Trade School’s leadership team as the agency continues to expand its creative capabilities in an increasingly competitive landscape of independent agencies.
Reel 360 News wishes Justin the best of luck at Trade School.
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