VML Announces New Creative Hires

VML has announced the addition of another creative power player to its Wendy’s team and the hire of a former Best Buy executive to lead the agency’s ecommerce offerings.

Pat Piper, the original author of the Sonic ‘Two Guys’ commercials, will join VML as group creative director on Wendy’s. Piper brings more than 15 years’ experience to the team, having worked on major brands including Sonic, Hallmark, Blue Bunny Ice Cream, Pearle Vision, Payless Shoes, Paramount Parks, UMB, Helzberg Diamonds, the Missouri Lottery and the Kansas Lottery. He has been recognized by the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, CLIO Awards, Communication Arts, One Show, Mercury Radio Awards, and Print and National American Advertising Awards.

Piper will report to current Executive Creative Director Chris Corley. “I’ve known Pat since the beginning of my career,” Corley said. “He is an ace writer and an amazing motivator. We’re lucky to have him as a creative leader for the team.”

Andy Heddle has been hired as group channel director, ecommerce. Heddle will enhance VML’s ecommerce capability with his deep perspective from the retail and ecommerce space.  He comes to VML from Best Buy, where he built and ran the company’s substantial third-party ecommerce business, including the marketplace on bestbuy.com, as well as selling Best Buy products and services on sites such as eBay, Twitter and ShopAmex.

Heddle created an online and direct sales capability for the Best Buy mobile joint venture between Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse and was responsible for building the business on bestbuy.com, an endless aisle experience, in call centers, and on a white label platform developed to support activations for Samsung, HP, eBay, Motorola and Microsoft. Heddle ran a number of ecommerce businesses for Carphone Warehouse, Europe’s largest independent retailer of mobile phones, and has sold mobile phones online and through call centers in 11 countries and in six languages.

Heddle, who is based in Minneapolis, will work out of VML’s Kansas City office on a variety of accounts, including Sprint. He will report to Chief Innovation Officer Brian Yamada.

Other recent promotions and new hires include:

Dave Quintiliani has been promoted to group creative director at VML New York, where he will be the primary creative lead for Dell. Quintiliani will lead a cross-disciplinary team for all creative output for the Dell brand. “Dave has made tremendous strides in helping elevate work across the board for Dell,” said Mike Wente, executive creative director and managing director. “His digital technologies knowledge, integration with design and user experience will continue to set vision and drive concepts for all interactive experiences.” Quintiliani will report to Wente.

Stephen Martin has been promoted to group creative director in the Kansas City office. In this role he’ll be responsible for leading a team of creative directors, art directors and copywriters in concepting work for clients, such as Bayer, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Kashi. He’ll also help lead the creative relationship with senior clients on these accounts. Martin has been instrumental in helping VML win multiple Lions, One Show, Pencils and CLIOs. He will report to John Godsey, executive creative director. 

Matt Fischvogt has been hired as group creative director and will contribute to concept development and branding across a variety of accounts. Fischvogt has previous experience at CP+B and McKinney, having worked on accounts including Coke Zero, Audi, Virgin Atlantic and Fruit of the Loom. He will report to John Godsey, executive creative director.

Dave Cook has been hired as a group creative director at VML and will interact with top agency and client management as a strategy partner. He previously worked for agencies including CP+B, McKinney, Chiat Day, and Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Cook created famous work across all media for clients such as Audi, Best Buy, Virgin Atlantic and Fruit of the Loom. He will report to John Godsey, executive creative director.

Jen McDonald has been promoted to executive director, client engagement. McDonald has been with VML for nearly eight years, leading brands such as Dell, Sam’s Club, Navistar and MillerCoors. Over the past several years, McDonald has led the growth and development of several client partnerships in which VML is the agency of record, including Wendy’s and NAPA AUTO PARTS. Prior to VML, McDonald held marketing leadership roles at Revolution Health, AOL and XM Radio, among others. “Jen places relentless focus on problem solving, strategy and elevating VML’s 360-degree offering to clients,” said Chuck Searle, chief client officer. Her promotion is effective immediately and she will continue reporting to Searle.

Jordan Cochran has been promoted to managing director, client engagement. For more than 14 years, Cochran has contributed to the ongoing success and growth of VML Kansas City. He’s led a variety of initiatives over the years, including MasterCard, Carlson Hotels, Darden and Korean Air, among others. Cochran currently leads the Sprint business with a focus on team development, partner integration and Sprint’s overarching digital transformation initiatives. Cochran will report to Chuck Searle, chief client officer.