Ayzenberg Group has made two senior-level additions to the agency’s creative and account management departments, further bolstering the agency’s in-house capabilities. Former BLT executive Matt Rice has joined Ayzenberg as Vice President of Creative Operations alongside Justin Kirby, who will be taking on his new role as Account Director. Their experience and expertise will be especially valuable in helping fuel the ongoing growth and expanding capabilities at the award-winning agency. The hires signify Ayzenberg’s ever-deepening belief in creating memorable imagery to support a visual narrative.
“A picture being worth 1,000 words is the essential reality which has now been amplified through social media…more visually oriented work leads to a more successful communication,” stated Eric Ayzenberg, CEO and Chief Creative Office, Ayzenberg Group.
Rice brings his 20-plus years of expertise and insight to the development and management of creative campaigns within the agency. He will work closely with the agency’s Principal and Creative Director, Stu Pope. Rice has deep roots in brand development for film, and television properties in addition to founding the video game business at BLT & Associates, where he oversaw award-winning work and consistently grew the agency’s revenue Y-o-Y. Additional past experience includes marketing management positions at Warner Brothers Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
“We are very excited to have Matt join the creative leadership of our agency,” said Stu Pope, Principal and Creative Director, Ayzenberg Group. “His unique creative sensibilities and strong strategic insights will serve to broaden our client base in video games while deepening our commitment to telling our clients’ brand stories in different ways, at different times, in diverse places that organically resonate with their audiences.”
Kirby joins Ayzenberg as Account Director for the agency’s entertainment and video game clients in the Pacific Northwest, operating out of Seattle. As Account Director, Kirby will be in charge of managing the agency’s existing video game clients and growing its video game business development overall. Like Rice, Kirby has deep roots in the video game industry, serving as the Group Marketing Communications Manager for Microsoft’s Xbox video game division for over a decade and spending two years as a Marketing Manager for Vivendi Entertainment.
“The addition of Matt and Justin emphasize our commitment to brand and client management and we look forward to working closely with these very talented individuals I have admired for many years who have collaborated on the identities of such brands as Gears of War, Halo, and, Mass Effect and individually on Star Trek, Dragon Age, Fable, The Dark knight, Forza and many more.” said Chris Younger, Principal, and oversees Strategy, Sales and Client Services at Ayzenberg Group.
