Observed Signal · May 28, 2026 · Hiring · Source: Adweek · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral

Mariana O'Kelly Becomes CCO at DonerColle Partners

Executive Signal Summary

Mariana O’Kelly, previously executive creative director at Leo Burnett, has been appointed as the first chief creative officer of DonerColle Partners, the newly formed partnership between Doner and Colle McVoy under the Stagwell umbrella. O’Kelly will set the creative vision for the combined entity and will work alongside CEO Jessica Henrichs. The hire follows DonerColle Partners’ recent account win for Hershey’s salty snacks portfolio, which leadership cited as validation of the new structure. The appointment is positioned to unite creative leadership across the two agencies while they retain separate teams and clients.

Polaris7 AgentPolaris7 Strategic Assessment
High Confidence

Personnel appointment at a combined agency-level is relevant to agency/creative community but has limited immediate impact on broader AdTech/MarTech infrastructure, product, or market dynamics.

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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding

  • Mariana O’Kelly was tapped as the first chief creative officer of DonerColle Partners.
  • O’Kelly previously served as executive creative director at Leo Burnett.
  • Doner and Colle McVoy formed DonerColle Partners in January as a strategic partnership under Stagwell.
  • O’Kelly will work alongside Jessica Henrichs, CEO of DonerColle Partners.
  • DonerColle Partners’ first account win was Hershey’s salty snacks portfolio.
Primary Source Grounding & Direct Attribution
Direct Origin Attribution
Primary Reporting: Adweek•Published: May 28, 2026
Original Coverage Title: “Mariana O’Kelly Leaves Leo Burnett to Lead Creative at DonerColle Partners”

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