The Martin Agency Fills Its Chief Strategy Officer Role From Within
By Erik Oster
The Martin Agency has appointed a new chief strategy officer from within its own ranks, promoting Michael Chapman to the role.
Chapman, who will also get the executive vice president title, had served as senior vice president, managing director, strategic planning for the agency since 2014. He replaces Earl Cox, who recently retired after 31 years with the agency and two decades in the chief strategy officer role.
“Earl is a friend and mentor who has always believed in the importance of business, data and creativity coming together,” Chapman said in a statement. “I adopted that mindset from him and work to bring that thinking to every opportunity.”
Chapman joined The Martin Agency as a strategic planner on the UPS account in 2000 and also worked with Yoplait. After leaving for a two year stint as a senior planner at McCann London in 2005, he returned to the agency as senior vice president, group planning director in 2007 and led strategy for brands including Cruzan Rum, Norwegian Cruise Line and Fuze before being promoted to managing director, strategic planning in 2014.
“Michael has been groomed for this executive leadership role his entire career,” Martin Agency CEO Matt Williams said in a statement. “He’s an extraordinary coach, a great partner to our clients, and he’s not shy about lending his opinion, even if it’s contrary to conventional wisdom. There’s nobody better to lead our strategic capability in these changing and exciting times.”
