Booms & Shakes: New hires, big wins, studio birthdays and more

It's a big moment for us – the start of a new monthly ritual where we shine a light on the wins, hires, shake-ups and whispers shaping our industry. From headline-grabbing client moves to the side-of-desk experiments everyone's talking about, Booms & Shakes is here to keep you in the loop.

The idea came earlier this year, when we realised no one else was doing those classic Movers & Shakers features anymore. We used to live for those. What happened to them? Well, we're bringing them back. So be careful what you tell us when we're out and about (only joking). And if you've got something worth sharing, we’d love to hear from you. Enough scene-setting. September's here, the industry's buzzing, and it's time to spill the tea.

Client Wins

ARK wins loveholidays

Independent agency ARK has been appointed as lead creative partner to loveholidays, the UK's fastest-growing travel agent. The win follows a competitive pitch process managed by Ingenuity+ and will see ARK leading creative strategy and campaign delivery to support the brand's growth across Europe. "We've been the industry's best-kept secret. That's about to change," said loveholidays brand director Jacqui Grimsey-Jones.

VCCP lands Co-op Funeralcare

Co-op Funeralcare has appointed VCCP as its creative and strategy partner, expanding the agency's remit across the Co-op Group. The 'Owned By You. Right By You.' platform will now extend into funeralcare, aiming to make the category feel more human and accessible. Expect the first work to be completed later this year.

Genoa Black partners with Curtis Stone

Scottish consultancy Genoa Black has landed a new brief with LA-based chef and entrepreneur Curtis Stone. The team is working on brand architecture and design across Stone's wide-ranging businesses, strengthening Genoa Black's growing reputation for international brand work.

Evergreen picks VCCP for global garden care brief

Another big coup for VCCP as Evergreen Garden Care (home of Miracle-Gro, Roundup and more) names the network as its global integrated agency of record. The relationship spans strategy, creative, media, PR and social, with Miracle-Gro set to debut under the new model in spring 2026.

New Hires & Promotions

Among Equals bolsters team with four senior hires

Creative company Among Equals has expanded its team with four new hires across design, production, PR and strategy. Greg Bartlett (ex-Revolt, Village Green), Flavia Casà (ex-W+K, Saatchi), Kiki King (ex-Uncommon), and Rose Shephard (ex-Otherway) bring heavyweight experience across brands such as Nike, Tate, BFI, and more. Founder Emily Jeffrey-Barrett said: "Their experience and understanding of what a modern business really needs to do to make people take notice – then care – is unparalleled."

Strategy Department launches in Toronto

Since leaving her role as associate partner at Pentagram, Katee Hui MBE has founded Strategy Department, a new brand strategy studio based in Toronto. Early clients include YouTube and Chancen International.

Fresh faces at Genoa Black

Genoa Black has welcomed new designer India Rankin, who joins straight from her first-class degree at Edinburgh College of Art, following a successful internship. At the same time, Rosie Maclelland has been promoted to Senior Designer after three years with the studio.

Promotion at OurCreative.

Leeds and Hull-based studio OurCreative. has promoted Ollie Jackson to Senior Designer. Since joining in 2024, Ollie has worked on multiple ASDA projects, including Noodle Blocks & Bowls and the recent Red Sky rebrand.

Coffee & TV strengthens design leadership

Coffee & TV has announced two senior additions. Katie Tricot joins as Executive Director of Design Studio, bringing over 20 years of experience in motion and VFX, while Thomas Heckel comes in as Art Director after a decade at The Mill. Together, they'll help drive the studio's global design offering, working alongside ECD Steve Waugh and Creative Director Ed Kevill-Davies.

Atomic London names Cat Davis Group CMO

Atomic London has brought in seasoned growth leader Cat Davis as Group Chief Marketing Officer. With senior stints at Grey, Cheil, gyro and MISSION Group, Davis will help scale Atomic's "Orbit" model after a record-breaking run of new business wins.

JOAN London appoints Matthew Robinson as MD

Independent agency JOAN London has tapped Matthew Robinson – formerly CEO at Modern Citizens and partner at Joint – as Managing Director. He'll work alongside ECD Kirsty Hathaway to build on the agency's rapid growth since opening its London shop in 2023.

The Midnight Club launches The Beginning

Creative company The Midnight Club has unveiled a new brand-building studio dubbed The Beginning, billed as an "anti-consultancy consultancy." Alongside the launch come heavyweight hires, including Stephanie McArdle (formerly of Droga5) as Head of Design, Caleb Al-Jorani (formerly of Uncommon) as Group Creative Director, Liam Campbell (formerly of Grey) as Creative Director, and Anne Mills Côté (formerly of Adidas and Ear to the Ground) as Group Creative Director.

Leadership changes

D&AD CEO Dara Lynch steps down

After 18 years at D&AD, CEO Dara Lynch has announced she will step down later this year. During her tenure, Lynch guided the non-profit through the 2008 crash, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other challenges, while launching initiatives such as the White Pencil and Shift. "After 18 years, it feels like the right time to turn the page and start a new chapter," she said. Chairman Tim Lindsay praised her "instrumental" role in shaping D&AD's inclusive culture.

Through the grapevine

GOOD Agency launches GOOD Studio

In response to the financial challenges facing small charities, GOOD has launched GOOD Studio, a "straight to creative" service offering cost-effective campaigns that do not compromise quality. Aimed squarely at helping smaller organisations do more with less.

Bottleneck podcast

Rory Sutherland (Ogilvy) and Elfried Samba (Butterfly Effect, formerly of Gymshark) are teaming up for Bottleneck, a new podcast that explores the hidden blockers stifling creativity. Guests include Margaret Heffernan and Jordan Schwarzenberger. Launches 8 September.

Cash Studios' 'Trust Model'

Cash Studios has lifted the lid on its experimental new approach: zero rounds of feedback, half the cost, and half the timeline. Dubbed 'The Trust Model', it has already attracted clients like Substack and SFMOMA. Not for everyone — but for the brave few, it could be game-changing.

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GM Creative Industries Mixer kicks off in Manchester

Greater Manchester is launching a new series of Creative Industries Mixers, the first of which takes place on 25 September at Band on the Wall. Expect sector updates, networking, funding opportunities, and a spotlight on local talent. The series is a response to this year's Creative Industries Sector Plan engagement, designed to connect freelancers, independents and small studios with bigger players across the region.

Birthdays

Mondays turns one

North East studio Mondays.Design is celebrating its first birthday, and what a year it's been. Nearly 200 projects delivered, new partnerships across the UK (plus one international), and a move into a new studio. Founder Mickey Devine reflects: "Working solo after years of leading teams has been a huge shift… but also incredibly rewarding." Here's to year two.