Kristen Cavallo Returns to MARTIN* as CEO

Photo by Anna-Louise Cecil

MARTIN* announced today that Kristen Cavallo will return as CEO effective April 2026. The announcement coincides with the retirement of Danny Robinson, who spent 21 years at the agency and departs to pursue an artist residency in France — a lifelong dream he is now making his second act.  

Cavallo and Robinson led together for years. When Cavallo returned to MARTIN* as CEO in 2017, she brought Robinson onto the leadership team—first as Chief Client Officer, then Chief Creative Officer, and most recently CEO, a role he assumed in 2024. Their partnership has been defined by a shared belief in creativity as the agency’s competitive advantage. 

Cavallo is no stranger to MARTIN*. She first joined the agency in 1998 and spent 20 of her 30 years in advertising here. During her tenure as CEO, the agency grew 50 percent in five years, earned U.S. Agency of the Year honors from Adweek and Ad Age, and was named one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company. 

Her focus will be ensuring continuity for clients and employees while reinforcing the creative standard that defines the agency. 

"If you have even the smallest chance of pulling the GOAT out of retirement, you take it,” notes MARTIN* CCO, Jerry Hoak. “Kristen coming back represents an incredibly exciting moment for MARTIN* and our clients. She's a winner who makes everyone around her the best possible versions of themselves. Working with her is a once in a lifetime opportunity and somehow I have the chance to do it twice." 

Cavallo joined The Branch Museum of Design in January 2025, serving as its Executive Director. As her focus returns to MARTIN*, she will transition to the role of Artistic Director at The Branch, guiding its curatorial and creative direction. Both roles are grounded in the same belief — that creativity is one of the few forces capable of shaping culture. 

"The instinct in the advertising industry right now is to play it safe. I think that's exactly wrong,” Kristen remarks. “The agencies that will matter in ten years or ten months are the ones that used this moment to get better. I believe MARTIN* is one of those agencies. We start with the belief that creativity isn't a luxury you cut when things get hard. It's the thing that gets you through.”