Independent ad agency Walrus announced that it has appointed Paul Savaiano as Head of Strategy. Savaiano will oversee all existing and new business, leading the strategic acceleration of the company off the back of its recent triple digit growth. This hire continues the agency’s investment in its management team to provide a cross discipline approach for its client partners.
Before joining Walrus, Savaiano served as Head of Strategy at TAXI’s New York office, where he managed a team of five. During his tenure, he led pitches that resulted in securing clients such as Dannon Yogurt, the biggest brand at Danone. Savaiano also spent time at 72andSunny, where he was the lead strategist for new wins including Square. Prior to this, at R/GA he helped secure the agency as social AOR for Constellation Brands.
“A lot of agencies pay lip service to strategy, only wheeling the strategists out for pitches in order to backward engineer briefs off of existing creative executions, and to dazzle clients with process,” said Frances Webster, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Walrus. “We are true believers in the power of a tight, smart creative insight that sparks great ideas – and that starts with an iron-clad brief. This is one of Paul’s key strengths and he will continue to help us prove to our clients that the key to driving a brand in the marketplace is to blend creativity and business strategy. Paul will work closely with Walrus’ Media Communications Director Kevin Porter to create communications plans that optimize the consumer journey for clients. We know he will be a great asset to the entire team.”
“I am passionate about solving problems strategically, and as a visual storyteller, a thinker and a doer, I was immediately drawn to the Walrus culture and philosophy of ‘calculated misbehavior’ within creativity,” said Savaiano. “I am thrilled to join the strategic team at Walrus, after being drawn to the agency’s full-service offering and the advantages it brings to its clients. I am beyond excited for this new challenge.”
