Above+Beyond has assembled a new leadership team, featuring a mix of internal promotions and the poaching of BBDO‘s Dena Walker as new chief strategy officer.
Walker, who will take up the new senior role at the independent creative agency later this summer, will be in charge of leading strategy across both existing clients and new businesses.
Commenting on her appointment, Walker, who has previously held senior positions at BBDO Dublin, New York and Worldwide over fifteen years, and most recently worked as global strategy director, said:
“Joining Above+Beyond at such a dynamic point in its history is really exciting.
“Independent, integrated and ambitious, what more could you want in an agency? I can’t wait to start and help drive further growth for the business.”
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Joining Walker in the new leadership team are Laura Graham, promoted to chief production officer, and Jonny Ray, appointed as the managing director. They join chief creative officer Dominic Goldman with Zaid Al-Zaidy remaining as Above+Beyond’s CEO.
Internal hires Graham and Ray have both played instrumental parts in the agency’s production and management capabilities.
Graham, who joined in 2021, launched The Beyond Collective’s integrated production and design studio, Collective Studios. Graham also played a key part in securing the agency several client wins including Netflix, Olivia Burton and Hardy’s.
In addition, Ray, who has headed up Above+Beyond’s account management team for the past five years, will assume responsibility for the agency’s day-to-day leadership and its clients, including Amazon, Alzheimer’s Research UK, BoyleSports, Premier Foods, and Akzo Nobel.
Zaid Al-Zaidy added: “I’m delighted to present this formidable new leadership team, comprising the promotion of some of the agency’s most outstanding talent, alongside welcoming Dena Walker, whose strong strategic prowess will be an enviable asset.
“Congratulations to Laura Graham and Jonny Ray for such well-deserved promotions. I’m looking forward to seeing them take the agency to the next level.”
