Edelman has named Lee Maicon its first-ever global chief innovation and strategy officer, effective April 6. Maicon will lead Edelman’s growing strategic network in 65 offices around the world. He will be responsible for helping define and implement innovative strategic solutions for the firm’s clients across its global network. Maicon will be based in New York.
“Lee will be essential in his role in helping us deliver on our unique approach around how we solve business problems for our clients, our earned approach and our promise of being the House of Trust,” said Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman. “His diverse background with experience in PR, digital and marketing make him a unique talent.”
Maicon joins Edelman from McCann, where he was most recently chief strategy officer for North America. At McCann, Maicon led a cross-disciplinary team that helped to establish McCann as one of the most decorated networks in North America.
He brings over 20 years of strategic planning experience across a number of global agency networks, including Dentsu’s 360i, WPP’s Berlin Cameron, Grey and independent StrawberryFrog as well as media leaders Univision and StarMedia Networks. An industry veteran, Maicon has worked with many of the world’s most innovative brands, including Absolut, Canon, Coca-Cola, HBO, Nespresso, Oreo, Spotify, Toyota and USA Networks.
Prior to McCann, Maicon spent eight years at 360i, where he first served as SVP of Insights and Strategy before becoming the firm’s first chief strategy officer. At 360i he led an industry-leading insights and strategy team known for highly innovative and effective work, including the reinvention of brands such as Oreo and Oscar Mayer, among others.
Edelman has led strategy and planning on a number of campaigns for brands like ASICS, Heineken, AXE and Playtex.
Over the past few years, Edelman has bolstered its creative and strategic planning offerings, hiring a diverse group of talent, including Judy John, its first global chief creative officer, and Yannis Kotziagkiaouridis, Edelman’s first chief Data & Analytics officer, along with scores of creatives and planners. Maicon will oversee a strong bench of strategy leaders across the global network, including Gi-Gi Downs, managing director, Strategy & Planning, New York; Lilia Arroyo-Flores, EVP, head of Planning Chicago; Jay Gallagher, executive director, Strategy, London and EMEA; Geoffrey Lim, CSO, China and APAC.
“In this wildly changing environment, no one is better positioned to help companies and brands build trust and to deliver modern solutions than Edelman,” Maicon said. “I’m joining because of my admiration for both the firm’s rich history and the boundless ambition of its talent. For a strategist, it’s exciting to bring data and technology together with creativity to explore the potential of earned media.”
Maicon has been a speaker at SXSW and the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. He has also been a judge for the Effies and Jay Chiat Awards. Maicon is a board member of the 4A’s Strategy Committee and is a graduate of Amherst College.
About Edelman
Edelman is a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Our 6,000 people in more than 60 offices deliver communications strategies that give our clients the confidence to lead and act with certainty, earning the trust of their stakeholders. Our honors include the Cannes Lions Grand Prix for PR; Advertising Age’s 2019 A-List; the Holmes Report’s 2018 Global Digital Agency of the Year; and, five times, Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work. Since our founding in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business. Edelman owns specialty companies Edelman Intelligence (research) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, lifestyle). For more information please visit: www.edelman.com