New CEOs at GALE: Andrew Noel as Global CEO and Sophia Zhang as North America CEO
GALE's long-standing leader, Brad Simms, is set to be replaced by newcomers Andrew Noel and Sophia Zhang.
That's right! Stagwell agency GALE has announced some major changes, appointing Andrew Noel as its new global CEO and Sophia Zhang as the North America CEO. ADWEEK was the first to get an exclusive scoop on this shakeup.
Founder and CEO Brad Simms, who expanded GALE into a full-service agency offering creative, digital, PR, data, tech, and media services since its inception in 2014, is stepping down. Simms has also been leading a revival at fellow Stagwell agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky (CP+B) since 2022. CP+B, known for its edgy creative work, has experienced a rough patch with account losses and leadership changes, likely due to shifting industry dynamics, client priorities, and competitive pressures.
The transition at GALE is effective immediately. Simms most recently held a dual role as CEO of both GALE and CP+B. With his retirement, the CEO positions at both agencies have become vacant, offering new opportunities for growth and innovation.
It's exciting to see what the future holds for GALE under the leadership of Noel and Zhang. Their appointments mark the beginning of a new chapter for the agency, as they look to build upon its success and adapt to the ever-changing advertising landscape.
- Brad Simms, who held a dual role as CEO of both GALE and Stagwell agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky (CP+B), is stepping down, leaving the CEO positions at both agencies vacant.
- Andrew Noel and Sophia Zhang, appointed as the new global and North America CEOs of GALE respectively, are poised to lead the agency into a new chapter, with the goal of building upon its success and adapting to the ever-changing advertising landscape.
- In 2022, Simms also began leading a revitalization effort at CP+B, an agency known for its edgy creative work that has faced challenges such as account losses and leadership changes, highlighting the competitive pressures in the industry.
