Observed Signal · Oct 13, 2026 · Hiring · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Matt MacDonald Joins Merkley+Partners as Chief Creative Officer
Matt MacDonald is leaving VCCP to join Omnicom-owned Merkley+Partners as chief creative officer, starting in November. He is tasked with reshaping the agency's creative vision. MacDonald had led creative for VCCP's U.S. office for two years, and previously spent a decade at BBDO as CCO in New York leading the AT&T business. The position at Merkley+Partners was vacant since Andy Hirsch retired at the end of 2024. This is a significant executive move within the agency sector, filling a key creative leadership role.
This is a notable leadership appointment in the agency sector, but it's not a major industry shift. It affects Merkley+Partners and VCCP but does not disrupt the broader AdTech/MarTech ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Matt MacDonald is leaving VCCP to join Omnicom-owned Merkley+Partners as chief creative officer.
- MacDonald starts in November, filling a role vacant since Andy Hirsch retired in 2024.
- He previously led creative for VCCP's U.S. office for two years.
- Before VCCP, MacDonald spent a decade at BBDO as chief creative officer in New York, leading AT&T business.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mapped“Omnicom-owned Merkley+Partners filled its vacant chief creative officer role.”
“Matt MacDonald previously spent a decade at BBDO as chief creative officer in New York.”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Mawave hires Head of Social & Creative from Omnicom
Munich-based social-led agency Mawave appointed a new Head of Social & Creative effective August 1, 2026. The new hire is a former Account Director at Omnicom Precision Marketing Germany and fills a role that had been vacant since January 2026. The position was previously held by Ornella Sonderegger, who earlier this year moved into Mawave's management. The announcement was published by Horizont on August 4, 2026.
BBDO NY CEO and CCO to Depart
Emma Armstrong, CEO of BBDO New York, and Michael Aimette, Chief Creative Officer, are departing the agency. This follows Omnicom's acquisition of IPG, which led BBDO to absorb creative rival FCB. Chief Client Officer Kelli MacDonald, another FCB alum, is also leaving for a new opportunity. The exits occur just 10 months after Omnicom closed its $13 billion acquisition of IPG, creating the largest agency holding company.
BBDO Germany Appoints New CCO
BBDO Germany has appointed Ina Behrendt as its new Chief Creative Officer, effective 1 September 2026, as the agency group seeks a stable, long-term solution for its creative leadership. Behrendt has not worked inside an agency in recent years but is described as having strong knowledge of the talent market. The report frames the move amid wider restructuring debates, criticizing global network headquarters in New York, London and Paris for often making key decisions without sufficient local input and arguing that local leadership should be more involved. The piece was written by Mehrdad Amirkhizi and published by HORIZONT in late August 2026 (24–25 August).
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