Movers & Shakers: American Express, Heinz, Macy’s and more

Industry News

Customer intelligence-driven engagement company Bond announced its acquisition of Armadillo, a U.K. CRM agency. 

Independent agency Goodway Group won SiteOne as a client.

Jolt announced its acquisition of Shell’s Volta Media Network, officially entering the U.S. market.

Juxtapose Studio, which spent two years quietly creating campaigns for brands such as Dunkin', Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings, publicly launched. The LA creative studio was founded by Amanda Goldfine, Hector Kate and CEO Luke Anderson and recently named Academy Award-winning actress Patricia Arquette as founding advisory partner.

The Imaginarium announced its acquisition of select assets from agency Zion & Zion.

Triton Digital announced a partnership with The Washington Post, in which the former will power the latter’s digital audio strategy (podcasts, monetization and measurement).

On the Move

Bitget welcomed Ignacio Aguirre Franco as CMO.

Britehouse hired Nathalie van Sasse van Ysselt as ECD.

Coinbase appointed Gareth Kay as VP, brand and Joe Staples as VP, creative.

CourtAvenue named Preston Larson as chief media officer and CEO, Modifly, Lauren Anthony Miller as executive director and Robert Comradd as UI creative director.

Elevado added West Coast and Midwest representation with Katie Ward (founder, Katie+Co) and Chiara Chung (president, Chiara Chung Co.).

Hotwire Global welcomed Grant Toups as global CEO starting January 2026.

Huge hired Josh Campo as CEO starting January 2026.

Land O’Frost promoted Saverio Spontella to chief commercial officer.

Lob appointed David Pickel as CFO, Raji Bedi as chief product officer and Paul Rosen as chief revenue officer.

Mod Op appointed John Powers, Alan Kipust y Monica Richter as executives in residence.

Nielsen named Peter Naylor as chief client officer.

OpenX Technologies promoted Matt Sattel to president, Joel Myer to chief technology officer and Tyler Romasco to EVP, demand platforms and publisher partnerships.

RationAle Brewing welcomed Dave Macon as VP, sales and Phil Trowler as CFO.

Veeam hired Allison Cerra as CMO.

WPP named Elav Horwitz as chief innovation officer.

For Good

For Small Business Saturday on November 29, American Express is going all out. In a partnership with Main Street America, the company will give 250 small businesses $20 000,00 grants in its program, Amex Shop Small Grants. Amex also partnered with content creator and small business advocate Keith Lee to spotlight various small businesses throughout the country. Additionally, the company pledged to donate $1 to its aforementioned program for every qualifying Amex purchase at small businesses on November 29.

Brand Buzz

According to the Technomic Flavor Consumer Trend Report (2024), 25 % of Gen Z and millennials bring their own condiments when dining on-the-go. As a result, condiment brand Heinz collaborated with Herschel Supply to release a luggage collection, designed to carry sauces in style. 

Earlier this week, Jell-O released limited-time molds themed after not-so-popular Thanksgiving side dishes: Brussels sprouts, canned cranberry sauce and pecan pie. According to the brand, almost 33 % of Americans list Brussels sprouts as their least-favorite side dish. Additionally, over 25 % pass on cranberry sauce and 20 % skip over pecan pie. The molds are available at Walmart for $4,99 while supplies last.

The Jennifer Hudson Show partnered with Macy’s to transform the show's Spirit Tunnel into the festive Holiday Spirit Tunnel, which will debut this month and continue through December. Through this collaboration (which was brought to life by the agency Spark Foundry), Macy’s is also launching its 2025 Most Wonderful Stories Start Here campaign, which spotlights the moments and memories that make the holiday season special.

San Francisco Bay Coffee worked with its creative and media AOR Cutwater to release an animated spot for its ongoing brand platform, One Small Sip for a Better Tomorrow. In the ad, the coffee brand highlights the differences between "Big Coffee" companies and the brand's responsible sourcing, buying directly from farmers and ensuring fair pay. Cutwater also helped the coffee brand roll out environmentally friendly products such as OneCUP coffee pods, which are commercially compostable.