Creative

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Clients

Client Start Year End Year
Shoe Carnival 2018 Current
Travel Michigan 2006 Current
Ameriprise 2015 Current
General Motors 1934 Current
GM Fleet 2016 Current
GM Corporate Brand 2001 Current
Ruler (division of Kroger) 2019 Current
Kerrygold 2019 Current
Humble Design 2019 Current
Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) 2014 Current

About

RETAIL: NOT JUST A SKILL SET, A MINDSET.

Despite our Motor City roots, we aren’t solely an automotive agency. And – in truth – Detroit’s no longer solely an automotive city, it’s a hive of creative, cultural and commercial energy, powered by technology and entrepreneurial spirit. We’ve got a ton of experience with retail models (Aldi, Shoe Carnival, Bob Evans Restaurants and more) that’s resulted in, not just a skill set, but a mindset that permeates how we approach every client. We know how to translate meaning into action and – crucially – transaction.

MIDDLE AMERICA: A VANTAGE POINT AND STATE OF MIND

We live in Middle America, which means we view the country from the inside-out. It’s a different perspective than that of the coasts, we are plugged into “Main Street” and the mainstream in a very direct way. We have a nose for the authenticity and substance that Middle America looks for from brands. And we find – increasingly – that Middle America is as much of a state of mind as a geographical thing.


AN AGENCY MODEL TO MEET THE NEEDS OF MODERN CLIENTS

In 1997, McCann Worldgroup was created to meet the needs of modern clients, becoming one of the earliest integrated families of marketing companies. Today this network includes McCann, MRM//McCann, McCann Health, Momentum, Craft, and Weber Shandwick. We have cultivated shared ways of working and perhaps even more importantly, a culture of collaboration across our organization. In Detroit we are co-located with our partners from MRM//McCann (digital/CRM/analytics), Weber Shandwick (PR) and UM (media).

People

  • James Ward

    James Ward

    President

    James began his career at McCann NY in 1991. Over the years he’s developed a hybrid skillset, holding roles in Strategy and Business Development, as well as Account Management. Being versatile has never been more important in the agency business. His client/category experience is equally diverse, working with companies such as Amazon, Coca-Cola, KOHL’S, Progressive, Merck and Nestlé (just to name a few). James lives in a female-dominated household with wife, Kirsten; daughters, Isabel, Eloise and Lila; and Boston Terrier, Millie.

  • Anne Feighan

    SVP, Director of Strategy

    Anne has 20+ years of advertising, brand, and sales experience across a wide variety of categories and brands—Cadillac, Chevrolet, Michelin, Huggies diapers, Willy Wonka candy, OnStar, and the University of Michigan. Passion for brand planning to uncover simple truths that help deliver breakthrough, engaging creative. She’s been a force new business too, leading winning pitches for brands such as Ghirardelli, Olympic Paint and Stain, Dow Solar, University of Michigan Brand, and Cadillac. Before joining McCann, she led the brand strategy team at MRM overseeing various GM relationship marketing programs, including the launch of My GM Rewards.

  • Brad Emmett

    Chief Creative Officer

    Brad grew up in a small suburb of Detroit called Romeo which, incidentally, is the home of Kid Rock (btw: Kid Rock still owes Brad $300). After High School he moved to NYC to attend The School of Visual Arts. He started his career in advertising at DeVito/Verdi NY, then went on to enjoy creative success at BBDO NY and Cliff Freeman & Partners. After 20 years in NYC, he came home to play his part in Detroit’s resurgence. He’s a story teller and story starter, and passionate about getting ideas into culture through technology and media. He’s won numerous global advertising awards – e.g. Cannes Lions, One Show, Andy’s, Effie’s and Clios. His work for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association was inducted into the Clio Hall of Fame.
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