Moves & changes – design industry news

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Copywriting agency Reed Words has appointed Julianna Roppo as the creative director of its recently-opened New York office. Roppo was previously verbal design director at digital product company R/GA and has worked with clients including The Academy Awards Museum and fashion house LVMH.

Branding studio Vault49 (which has offices in New York and London) has announced Susan Levy as its new head of client management. The seasoned design and client manager will work across both studios.

Wolff Olins has announced two new hires. Neil Cooper (previously at digital studio Rehab) is joining as senior creative director while Astrid D’Hondt (previously at DixonBaxi) takes the role of associate creative director.

WPP has appointed Kyoko Matsushita as its CEO in Japan. Matsushita will be responsible for business in Japan. She was previously CEO for Essence Global, a WPP media agency. According to WPP, the new role reflects a commitment to growth in Japan, which is the world’s third largest economy.

Sports entertainment company Sorare, which is used by almost 2 million sports fans, has appointed Dan Sormaz as its head of design. Sormaz joins from Spotify where he was vice president of design. At Sorare, Sormaz will be working on design touchpoints such as the mobile app, digital trading cards and visual identity.

Taxi Studio, based in Bristol and London, has announced several changes to its team. Ryan Wills is taking up position as CEO, while Alex Bane is now heading up the studio’s business team as chief business officer. Post Office’s group chief retail officer Martin Roberts has joined the studio’s board.

Dr. Martens has appointed Darren McCoy as its new global creative director, where he will oversee the shoe brand’s design team. McCoy, a lifelong wearer of the shoes, calls the new role a “massive responsibility” and adds he will strive to balance innovation with a “respect to the heritage and history of the brand”.

Brand consultancy Big fish has announced Chloé Templeman as its new executive creative director. Templeman was previously creative director at Design Bridge. Big fish also recently announced filmmaker and designer Garrick Hamm as a creative consultant.

Pearlfisher London has promoted Jess Phillips to creative director. Phillips joined the consultancy as an intern in 2012.

Dublin and London-based Rowdy has hired Alex Johnson (previously Dragon Rouge and Someone) as senior designer.

Consultancies

Berlin-based studio Battalion, which has worked with brands including SoundCloud and Hello Fresh, has opened an office in the UK. Its remote design team includes Julian De Sousa, Joseph Joyce and studio founder Katy Rea.

Design studio Kin has closed after 14 years, its co-founders Kevin Palmer and Matt Wade announced.

Cornwall-based consultancy Nixon Design has become an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The studio was founded in 1992 by Martin Nixon, and now comprises a team of 13 designers. Nixon is continuing as director of the EOT.

If there have been any moves at your consultancy, you can email henry.wong@xeim.com.