New York Times content studio T Brand has appointed Ben James head of creative, a new role at the company.  He starts May 13 with the studio’s creative directors, editorial, photo, video and design teams reporting to him.  Previously James was with WPP agency J. Walter Thompson for nearly seven years, most recently as Chief Creative Officer for the North America region.  Earlier he was managing director, creative innovation and executive creative director at the agency.  Before JWT James was an agent and creative director in the marketing department at Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles. He also served at …

Deutsch New York has announced several promotions. Husani Oakley is promoted to executive vice president, director of technology and innovation while Jeff Morgan becomes vice president, executive producer to oversee all production at Steelhead, Deutsch’s in-house production arm. Oliver Plunkett is named vice president, media director to work on PNC Bank and Andrew Quay is elevated to vice president, planning director to work on Busch, DraftKings, and new business, including Deutsch’s recent Reebok win.  

ICF Next is appointing Patti Temple Rocks as head of client impact for the newly launched agency that brings together several marketing, consulting, and communications shops, including Olson Engage and We Are Vista.  In this newly created role Temple Rocks will work with ICF’s creative and strategy leadership to define what client impact actually means in the evolving marketing landscape. She’ll also oversee a team of client leaders. Temple Rocks brings almost four decades in the communications and marketing industry experience. She’s held senior positions in PR, advertising and client-side.  She’s also an author—her current book, I’m Not Done, takes …

Digitas is promoting Clint Simpson to Global Chief Media Officer a new role at the agency. Previously Simpson served as Chief Media Officer, North America and Managing Director, New York region. He’ll transition to the new role in the coming months reporting to Michael Kahn, global brand president and Jodi Robinson, president, North America. Simpson will be tasked with driving media innovation and practices, data-inspired media strategy and execution as well as leading the adoption, integration and scaling of Publicis Media shared services and support for the agency.  

Miami-based digital and social content agency Nobox has named Marcus Kawamura partner and chief creative officer.  The appointment comes as the agency is rolling out plans to expand it general market ad offering in the U.S.  Kawamura’s focus will be to elevate the agency craft and nurture creative culture while helping integrate big idea thinking into all levels of work for clients.  He has served at a number of high-profile creative agencies such as AlmapBBDO in Brazil and Crispin Porter Bogusky where he was global creative director at the agency’s Boulder office and executive creative director at its Miami office.  …

Bailey Lauerman is hiring Juan José (JJ) Valera as planning director to serve in a lead strategy role and to be responsible for the development of category and consumer insights. The Spain native has served in strategic, research and planning roles at several multicultural and general market advertising agencies in the U.S. working with Disney, Toyota Motor Sales, Hyundai, UNICEF, Modelo Especial, the U.S. Army and others.  

Omnicom brand consultancy Interbrand has elevated Manfredi Ricca to global chief strategy officer. A 20-year veteran of the firm, Ricca was previously chief strategy officer, EMEA & Latin America. He also joins the executive leadership team, reporting to global CEO Charles Trevail.

iCrossing has made three senior appointments: Sujal Patel departs Digitas to join the agency as chief technology officer, replacing Shiva Vannavada, who left in August. Patel will work at the agency's Chicago office.  New York-based Kyle Lee is elevated to vice president/ head of search for the U.S. region. And after seven years with the agency, HR lead Heather Slezak is promoted to the newly created role of head of talent. She works out of the Scottsdale, Arizona office.  All three will join the agency’s senior management ranks, reporting to iCrossing’s global president Mike Parker.  

BBDO New York is elevating Vishal (Vish) Dheiman to the newly created role of head of tactical innovation to cultivate tech and media partnerships as well as identify the best working models for the agency’s forays into innovation work, both small and scaled. He will report to Dave Rolfe, director of integrated production. Prior to joining the agency earlier this year Dheiman spent three years as digital lead at 72andSunny NYC. Prior to that, he was an interactive and, later, senior creative producer at JWT (both London and New York), working with clients like Google, HSBC, Shell, Energizer and Bloomberg.  …

Mirum US has announced several senior-level promotions with David May shifting from vice president client engagement to senior vice president sales and marketing. David Painter, formerly managing director, Chicago, expands his duties to become managing director  Chicago, LA and Northwest Arkansas. Jay Mathew transitions from chief operating officer, Mirum Shopper to chief commerce activation officer and Joyce Zincke, previously head of operations, is elevated to chief operating officer.