Building Believers Begins At Home
BPI announces promotion of four new Managing Directors
As we enter 2019, BPI’s work has never been more important and relevant. In a time of low trust, fake news, economic turbulence and dysfunctional government, the bond between consumers and organizations is more tenuous than ever. The same is true between candidates and voters. What they share in common is the need to do more than just deliver on a value proposition — organizations must reflect the values and aspirations of their supporters. In short, they seek to build believers.
The marketing world is also changing. Now almost 10 years post the real introduction of social media, the ecosystem is maturing. Internally, organizations are building large marketing and communications teams. To continue to add value, agencies must change themselves. BPI is in the midst of this transition, focusing primarily on how to simultaneously provide high-level (or first-chair) strategy and deep vertical expertise.
And while we are proud of the work we do, we are even more proud of the team that makes it possible. This January, we are excited to announce the promotions of 17 BPI’ers, including four new Managing Directors. These leaders exemplify our values and have long track records of building believers for the most sophisticated brands, causes and candidates in the world.
Alex Kellner, Chicago — During his five years at BPI, Alex has gone from a leading digital political strategist to one of the most experienced marketing leaders in both the public and private sectors. Alex leads a team that helps clients pass complex legislation, improve brand favorability, and win votes. As one of the agency’s foremost political experts, Alex has overseen digital media strategy for some of the largest independent expenditures including Priorities USA, EMILY’s List WOMEN VOTE! and NextGen America. Alex specializes in crafting messaging for millennials, political and business influencers, as well as activists across multiple digital channels.
As he takes on this new role, Alex will help drive the agency’s political point of view and expand our service offerings in the Chicago office.
Christina Sheffey, San Francisco — Christina is a veteran advertising consultant who built BPI’s full-service creative discipline from the ground up. Her pioneering approach to audience-first digital advertising has helped to elect Governors, Senators and Congresspeople; improve the reputation of under-siege Fortune 50 organizations; change the conversation around mental health and addiction; and ensure transgender people in Massachusetts are treated with dignity and respect. Christina specializes in developing creative and content that helps BPI’s partners solve their problems — and build believers.
As Group Creative Director, Christina will continue to define and expand the agency’s creative POV in our growing markets and sectors, well beyond digital.
Daphne Wang, Washington D.C. — Daphne brings fresh thinking, sophistication, and confidence to our strategic communications business, where she leads our largest clients and accounts that sit at the intersection of corporate reputation and public affairs. Prior to joining BPI, Daphne led large-scale, integrated global communications and corporate reputation programs for Fortune 500 clients and NGOs such as BlackBerry, GE, Mars, McCormick, the Near East Foundation, PepsiCo and Suntory.
In her new role as Managing Director, Daphne will work with our army of strategists and account leads across the agency to bring a new level of integration and finesse to some of our most high-profile accounts.
Scott Zumwalt, Washington D.C. — In his six years at BPI, Scott has helped develop BPI’s metrics-driven approach to many of our largest corporate and public affairs clients. Scott has over a decade of experience in digital strategy and marketing for Fortune 500 corporations, non-profits and progressive political campaigns. As one of the leading digital innovators in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, Scott was the chief digital strategist that helped launch and develop the award winning It Gets Better Project in 2010. In his time at BPI, he’s also served as a lead digital marketing consultant for the Human Rights Campaign for the past six years and worked on multiple campaigns and initiatives. Scott has also served on the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund Campaign Board since 2014.
This spring, Scott will be finishing up his Executive MBA from Columbia Business School and in his new role will lead our internal development programs.
We’d also like to congratulate the additional promotions on the BPI team:
Dan S. — Senior Director
Joe S. — Senior Product Lead
Zach E. — IT Manager
Carey H. — Associate
Laura H. — Senior Designer
Elizabeth L. — Senior Analyst
Sydney H. — Media Buyer
Ian B — Media Buyer
Allie F. — Senior Account Executive
Hannah B. — Senior Account Executive
Maren T. — Senior Account Executive
Mohammed M. — Senior Account Executive
Will S. — Senior Account Executive
If you’re interested in joining a team known for building believers, you can apply at bpimedia.com/careers.
