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Chute Gerdeman bolsters executive leadership;
Christopher Barcelona is new Chief Innovation and Growth Officer
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Barcelona joins Gerdeman, recent promotions of Highland and Johnson as company further integrates with FCB/RED.
[/movedo_title][movedo_empty_space][movedo_single_image image=”28901″ retina_image=”28901″][movedo_empty_space][vc_column_text]COLUMBUS, OH—Chute Gerdeman, a globally recognized leader in retail innovation, strategy, design, and implementation today announced a newly robust executive leadership team, including the appointment of Christopher Barcelona as Chief Innovation and Growth Officer (CIGO). In addition to Barcelona, Jay Highland and Wendy Johnson will take on expanded roles within the executive leadership team, charged with driving business growth and further evolving the agency’s partnership with FCB/RED. “Chris is a dynamic powerhouse who understands all facets of modern retail experience,” said FCB/RED President, Tina Manikas. “His leadership will certainly take our strategic product and capabilities to a whole new level.”[/vc_column_text][movedo_empty_space][vc_column_text]The new leadership reflects Chute Gerdeman’s business growth plans and positions the agency to meet evolving client demands and shopper expectations. The agency is transforming to bridge digital and physical experiences, connecting brands to shoppers in any space of the retail landscape. “We are in one of the most fast-paced, hyper-complex moments in Chute Gerdeman’s 30-year history,” said Chute Gerdeman Chairman Denny Gerdeman. “With this new executive leadership, we are able to develop solutions that are as nimble as the retail environment is today–not only keeping up with client demands but evolving our partnership and collaboration.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top_multiplier=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][movedo_single_image image=”28899″ retina_image=”28899″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]As CIGO, Barcelona will lead the identification and development of service offerings that complement and expand existing capabilities, working to innovate and re-invent the consumer experience at every touchpoint. Informing and elevating Chute Gerdeman’s award-winning creative, Barcelona will partner with the executive team to develop and implement growth frameworks that amplify insight-driven strategies across retail ecosystems, including digital retail integration, ecommerce, and social media projects.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top_multiplier=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]
“I’m honored to be joining the talented and dynamic teams at Chute Gerdeman and FCB/RED,” said Barcelona. “The commitment to continuing to evolve our value proposition and deliver immersive experiences that seamlessly combine physical and digital and create meaningful connections for our clients’ customers to their brands is one I’m truly excited to be a part of.”
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top_multiplier=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]With more than 25 years of experience, Barcelona brings a blend of agency and client mindset to his new role with Chute Gerdeman. His passion for creating, fueling, and driving highly engaging customer experiences makes him a driving force for change in the industry. As a former Associate Partner and the North American Digital Lead for Retail, Consumer Products, and Travel/Transportation at IBM iX, he helped to define and deliver the latest digital customer experiences–leveraging those experiences to meet business objectives by bridging smart strategic thinking with creative that moves the audience to action. Barcelona has led successful programs for a diverse and distinguished client list including Nike, Reebok, Mattel, Kohl’s, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Procter & Gamble, Walmart, Restoration Hardware, EXPRESS, and Target.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top_multiplier=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]– Jay Highland, has been appointed Chief Creative Officer and Managing Director of Chute Gerdeman; and Executive Creative Director, Brand Experience at FCB. While continuing to vigorously lead and elevate creative within Chute Gerdeman, Highland will spearhead efforts to advance creative integration with FCB and its diverse client roster and will collaborate with executive leadership to provide strategic direction, set the tone and vision for the agency, and drive the business forward.
Highland has more than 25 years of design experience, including 16 years with Chute Gerdeman. He has been instrumental in championing Chute Gerdeman’s core capabilities and building the agency’s diverse creative teams. Always challenging the status quo, he is a consummate retail design authority, and has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences and events. Recently named one of design:retail’s Retail Design Influencers, his work leading creative teams for accounts such as FAO Schwarz, Target, and Xfinity has propelled Chute Gerdeman to be regarded as one of the top design agencies in the world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top_multiplier=””][vc_column][vc_column_text]– Wendy Johnson, continues to serve as Chute Gerdeman’s Chief Operating Officer and EVP Program Management. In addition to overseeing agency operations, Johnson will lead the Implementation business segment, driving the development and activation of go-to-market strategies to grow the existing design-centered scaled implementation.
With more than 25 years of experience, Johnson provides oversight to all business operations, finance, team planning, and implementation. She is at once the voice of the client, hands-on creative team member, and high-level strategic manager, expertly visioning and activating teams for our most complex clients. She makes an art form of seamlessly keeping priorities, projects, budgets, timelines, and client objectives in perfect alignment. Working closely with clients like Krispy Kreme, Mars, and FAO Schwarz, Johnson leads her teams through a collaborative approach and expertly navigates the process to make Chute Gerdeman’s designs become a reality.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
