Unexpected Leadership Move at Martin Agency - Former Group Creative Director Danny Robinson Accepts Newly Created Role

he Martin Agency continues to deliver on its promise to support the growth and evolution of their clients’ brands with the appointment of Danny Robinson as chief client officer. The move reflects the continued strategic changes and realignment in the agency’s leadership. 

Mr. Robinson, previously a group creative director, enters the newly created position at the executive committee level, giving him a role in shaping the long-term direction of the agency.

“You don’t meet many creative directors who have an MBA, have worked in brand management and have founded their own ad agency known for leveraging pop culture,” said Chris Mumford, president of The Martin Agency. “But then again, there’s only one Danny Robinson. Danny was even a part-time stand-up comic for ten years. He’s a unicorn, which makes him uniquely qualified for this role.”

“I am as excited about the possibilities of this role as I was on my first day walking into Martin as a creative director,” Mr. Robinson adds. “There is momentum at the agency that makes this role so meaningful right now. I will take advantage of this opportunity to promote creativity in account management – because when we impact culture, we impact sales for our clients. It’s that simple.”

Mr. Robinson’s primary responsibilities include working with account management to protect and sell stimulating creative ideas, working with creatives to ascertain what drives their clients’ businesses and, importantly, partnering with clients to fight brand invisibility and sell breakthrough work throughout their organizations. 

“There is a difference between creating a brand promise and creating a brand with influence,” adds Martin’s CEO Kristen Cavallo. “A promise doesn’t guarantee sales. Influence does. In addition to his account leadership role, Danny will help create opportunities for brand success through cultural influence.”

Remember when Oprah gave away 276 Pontiac G6s? Danny was a part of that brand integration that made marketing history. But then again, Danny has always thought big — maybe in part because he’s a creative director with an MBA. Danny cofounded Vigilante at a time when the idea of specialized ad agencies was a relatively new notion. He was The Martin Agency’s lead creative director on the biggest new business win in the company’s history — Walmart. And he was once voted by the Stand-Up New York Comedy Club as “one of the funniest men in advertising.” 

While at Vigilante, Danny was the creative leader and writer behind award-winning campaigns for Sprint, Major League Baseball, Snapple, Heineken, Pontiac, and advertising and event business for Johnnie Walker Black Label. During Danny’s time as chief creative officer, Vigilante was awarded the AAAA Multicultural Agency of the Year Award two years in a row and three times in the first four years of the agency’s history. 

At The Martin Agency, he has applied his sharp wit and strategic mind to brands like the Alliance for Climate Protection, Pizza Hut, Hanes, Tic Tac, Chevrolet, OREO and the AMC Network. In addition to his numerous industry awards for creativity, Danny was the recipient of two ADCOLOR Awards: the 2008 Innovators Award and the 2010 One Club ADCOLOR Award for creative excellence for his body of work and service in the industry.

He attended Hampton University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in art education, and received his Master of Business Administration from Atlanta University.