from staff
On Ideas Inc. recently announced a new executive management team under the leadership of agency partners, CEO Tom Bolling and Frank Costantini. The company’s new executives includes Managing Director Robert Atkinson, COO Joanne Gage and Creative Director Bill Connors.
On Ideas has experienced growth since its purchase of Husk, Jennings, Galloway and Robinson in 2005.
“We are thrilled to have talent that can continue the momentum, bringing the high-level strategic expertise to take us to the next level,” said Bolling, the company’s CEO. “These individuals are veterans with complementary skill sets that will set On Ideas apart from others.”
With over 20 years experience in marketing and advertising, Atkinson is the “go to guy” in strategic brand positioning. After transforming the Atlanta creative boutique MATCH, Inc. into a profitable, full-service agency, Atkinson transitioned his experience to become a founding member of the U.S. agency, Lunch Advertising. There, he helped launch Red Bull in North America and parlayed his expertise in advertising, PR and grass roots marketing to put a lock on Red Bull’s category leadership in the energy drink category. Atkinson is also a past National Advertising Director for AT&T. During his tenure they recorded record-setting rates for customer acquisition and surpassed Verizon to become the number one wireless brand in America. As managing director, Atkinson will be responsible for client service management, strategic development, new business and professional development.
Gage, who most recently served as Senior VP and Director of Client Services, will continue to report to Bolling. Gage’s career began as an on-air personality on the popular TV program of the 1980’s, “PM Magazine.” She then moved on to the areas of advertising, marketing, and public relations and spent over 25 years in the grocery retail industry. Hailing from New York’s Price Chopper where she spent 18 years and served as vice president of consumer and marketing services, Gage moved to Florida in 2002 and went to work for Winn-Dixie where she served as vice president of advertising and marketing. Joining On Ideas in 2005, she managed the agency’s client services department and worked with each account executive to insure sound strategy and efficient execution of projects. In transitioning to COO, Gage will oversee all operational aspects of the agency including financial management, strategic vendor management, information technology and recruitment.
Connors brings more than 20 years of creative expertise in both traditional and new media to his new position. Starting his career as a copywriter at Ogilvy New York on brands such as American Express and Shell, Connors has held a number of senior leadership positions, including his most recent role as chief creative officer at Exemplum, a growing interactive advertising agency, where he led creative for Hasbro and Verizon Wireless. Prior to that, he served as Creative Director and Co-Founder of Masius New York, a Publicis Group agency, where he orchestrated award-winning campaigns for Philips, Bloomberg, and Touchstone Energy. During his career, Connors has worked with clients such Top Flight, National Geographic, Panasonic, Hardee’s, Hershey’s, and the Save Darfur Coalition. He will be responsible for all creative development, new business and client relations.