Y&R California Names Ronny Northrop ECD

Y&R today announced the appointment of Ronny Northrop as Executive Creative Director, Y&R California. Based in San Francisco, Northrop will play an integral role in the creative product of the California agency, leading creative teams and directing Y&R California’s new creativity and innovation lab, dubbed “Wrestling Club.” He reports directly into Chief Creative Officer Mimi Cook.

“Ronny is a stellar addition to our team. He is a creative’s creative – someone with a passion for solving problems with ideas, who’s always looking to stretch and try new things, and who is a galvanizing force to all who work with him,” said Cook. “He’s excellent for both our clients and our culture.”

Northrop started his career as a copywriter at Crispin Porter & Bogusky, where he worked on MINI Cooper, truth and Virgin Atlantic, among others. Then, as copywriter and creative director at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, he created digital and integrated work for brands like got milk?, HP, Rolling Rock and Sprint, the latter of which he helped the agency to secure as a client. While serving in a first-of-its-kind hybrid role at Goodby designed to foster projects centered on innovation, Northrop helped launch Hacking Autism, a program that works to crowd-source software ideas for apps that help people with Autism find a voice. Hacking Autism has been picked up by Autism Speaks and is now the organization’s largest initiative to date globally. Between Goodby and Y&R, Northrop freelanced at agencies and organizations including Alex Bogusky’s Common, Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners and 72 and Sunny.

“With Y&R California, I saw the chance to help Mimi and co-shape and grow the agency culture, which is a rare opportunity these days,” said Northrop. “I’m excited to get to work with one of the nicest and most talented groups of people in the Universe.”

Northrop’s work has been awarded by numerous industry shows, including a handful of gold cyber lions and a D&AD Black Pencil. He has been a judge for One Show Interactive, the Andys, the Kellys and the Radio Mercury Awards.