Observed Signal · Feb 19, 2026 · Company Launch · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
New AI Agency JK Launches with Hitachi as Founding Client
Two longtime Omnicom executives, James Sparano and Kevin O’Sullivan, are leaving the holding company to launch JK, an AI-native creative and strategy agency. The self-funded firm, named for its founders, begins operations on Feb. 19 and aims to compress planning cycles from months into days. JK launches with Hitachi as a global founding client, supporting creative across more than a dozen markets including North America, Germany, India and the U.K.; the founders stopped short of calling the work a traditional agency‑of‑record arrangement. Both founders most recently served as executive business directors at TBWA\Chiat\Day New York and say the new agency will operate lean and independently.
Signals continued spawning of AI-native creative agencies and adoption by major brands (Hitachi), but represents a single small firm launch rather than a broad industry shift.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- James Sparano and Kevin O’Sullivan are leaving Omnicom to found JK.
- JK is described as an AI-native creative and strategy shop and begins Feb. 19.
- The new agency is self-funded and positioned as lean.
- Hitachi is announced as a global founding client across more than a dozen markets including North America, Germany, India and the U.K.
- Both founders most recently served as executive business directors at TBWA\Chiat\Day New York.
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