CHICAGO – Arc, the shopper marketing and activation agency within the Leo Burnett Group, has announced several key leadership changes to better serve current Leo Burnett, Arc, and, more broadly, Publicis Communications clients in the United States and around the world.
Arc appointed Chris Cancilla as the shopper marketing and activation agency’s new U.S. chief creative officer and elevated Karuna Rawal to president of Arc U.S. and chief strategy officer of Arc Worldwide. In addition, previous Global President Bob Raidt steps into the role of global chief executive officer. Nick Jones moves into a new position overseeing global business development and innovation. Finally, Arc appointed Scott Fry, VP, group executive producer, to Arc’s U.S. leadership team.
“Shopper marketing is one of the fastest-growing industry sectors today, if not the fastest,” said Leo Burnett Worldwide CEO Rich Stoddart. “Expanding and redesigning our Arc leadership team better positions the agency to serve shopper marketing and activation clients across Publicis Communications both in the U.S. and around the world.”
Chris Cancilla, U.S. Chief Creative Officer
As chief creative officer of Arc in the U.S., Cancilla is responsible for building the creative culture inside Arc with a strong focus on creative craft and effectiveness and overseeing 150 creative minds within the agency’s U.S. office. He will report to and work closely with newly minted Leo Burnett U.S. Chief Creative Officer Britt Nolan.
Cancilla’s work has been recognized at top industry award shows—the Centers for Disease Control “Yellow Ball” garnered three Cannes Lions, and “The Rush Is Addictive” for the Kawasaki Ninja 300 won a North American Effie. He also helped create Hilton Hotels’ first global creative campaign.
“Chris is a proven leader and a well-rounded creative talent—both attributes are incredibly important for integration across Leo Burnett and Arc creative departments,” said Nolan. I’m confident Chris will continue to build a solid creative culture inside Arc, with a strong focus on the work and making it better for our clients every day.”
Cancilla returns to Arc after working, most recently, as executive creative director at VSA Partners and chief creative officer at Trisect. He last worked at Arc in 2008, overseeing creative product for brands such as McDonald’s, Purina and Kellogg’s.
Karuna Rawal, U.S. President and Chief Strategy Officer, Arc Worldwide
Rawal previously was EVP, business lead, for Arc’s North America Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Walmart accounts. In her role as U.S. president, Karuna will oversee operations and growth with a focus on building the capability, connectivity and performance of the agency. As chief strategy officer, she will oversee strategic planning across Arc’s key global markets. Rawal will report to Rich Stoddart.
Most recently, Rawal served as strategic lead for Leo Burnett’s critically acclaimed #LikeAGirl campaign. She brings more than 20 years of experience in brand management and shopper marketing across the consumer packaged goods, retail and health-care industries.
Bob Raidt, Global Chief Executive Officer
With Rawal’s elevated leadership in the U.S., Raidt will shift his focus on expanding the global Arc brand. Previously Raidt was global president of Arc, overseeing business strategy and operations in the U.S. and globally. Raidt will continue to report to Leo Burnett Worldwide Chief Executive Officer Rich Stoddart.
Nick Jones, EVP, Global Business Development and Innovation
Jones will lead a team positioned as a resource for growth, thought leadership and innovation in key Arc global markets, while continuing to drive business development and innovation within the U.S. He will identify and apply innovation across Arc’s client roster, such as the recent partnership with near-field communications technology company ThinFilm.
Scott Fry, VP, Group Executive Producer
Fry joins Arc’s U.S. leadership team overseeing production for the agency. He is tasked with elevating production capability within Arc, ensuring best-in-class execution of ideas both in-store and online. He leads a team of 30 retail producers working across Arc clients such as Coca-Cola, MillerCoors, P&G and McDonald’s. Fry was recently appointed to the newly formed Publicis Communications production board. He reports to Vincent Geraghty, EVP, executive director of production and the leader of Greenhouse for Leo Burnett.
These leadership changes will allow Arc to accelerate its capabilities and global growth. Additional Publicis Communications shopper marketing and activation assets including Vivid Brand, Saatchi X, and Betterway were recently brought together under the Arc brand to create unparalleled global leadership in this space.
In photos are new Arc US president and Arc worldwide chief strategy officer Karuna Rawal and new Arc US chief creative officer Chris Cancilla.
