Brands at Work has appointed Emma Purves as client experience director and Kirsten Donaldson as new business director as the agency continues to grow its integrated creative communications and brand experience offering.
The appointments follow Brands at Work’s acquisition of experiential agency Chorus earlier this year and the continued expansion of its New York office. The agency said the two hires would support its focus on developing deeper client relationships and growing its international client base.
Purves brings more than 20 years of agency leadership experience, having previously held senior roles at Identity, Stature PR and Touch Associates. In her new role, she will lead the client experience across every stage of the agency relationship, from initial meetings and onboarding through to delivery and long-term partnerships.
“Client experience isn’t owned by one department. It’s shaped by every conversation, every interaction and every promise we keep,” she said.
“My role is to ensure our clients experience the same care, creativity and attention to detail that goes into every piece of work we deliver. Brands at Work has earned an exceptional reputation for combining strategic thinking with creativity that moves people, and I’m excited to build on that foundation.”
Donaldson joins from LIONS Advisory, part of Cannes Lions, where she advised leading marketers and creative businesses. She brings experience spanning brand strategy, business development, strategic partnerships and growth, along with an extensive network across the creative industries.
“Having spent my career connecting brands, agencies and creative businesses, I’ve seen first-hand what the very best partnerships look like,” she said.
“Brands at Work has built an enviable reputation and, with the addition of Chorus, the breadth of the proposition is incredibly compelling. I’m looking forward to starting new conversations, building lasting partnerships and helping more organisations experience a different kind of agency relationship, built on curiosity, creativity and collaboration.”
Karen Kadin, founding partner of Brands at Work, said the appointments would strengthen the way the group brings its collective capabilities together around client relationships.
“Clients expect more from agency partnerships than ever before. Brilliant creative work is a given, but they’re increasingly looking for partners who bring fresh perspective, challenge constructively, share meaningful insight and help them navigate an increasingly complex landscape,” she said.
“Emma will lead the experience our clients have with us every day, while Kirsten will introduce more organisations to our thinking, our ambition and the impact we can create together.”