Kusterer to lead idea creation for the agency’s beauty and premium lifestyle brands while also supporting the growing creative leadership team across the U.S.
NEW YORK (May 11, 2023) – Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) agency Golin announced today the appointment of Kristen Kusterer to Executive Creative Director (ECD) in its New York market. Kusterer officially started on April 17, reporting to Dawn Langeland, President of Golin New York. She joins Max Wild, long-time ECD and creative lead in Golin New York, as the office expands its creative leadership bench to support the wider U.S. creative client demands.
Kusterer’s primary focus will be to consult clients and prospects on marketing to women and premium brands by bringing fresh ideas to their creative strategy. Current clients in Golin’s portfolio with this center of attention include Aveeno, Ferrero, L’Oreal Paris, Neutrogena, JetBlue and Hard Rock.
“Kristen brings award-worthy creative excellence to this role during a time when Golin’s New York growth is thriving,” said Langeland. “I’m excited to have her focused experience contribute to our key growth areas, and I know she will surprise clients and prospects alike with fresh ideas that market to women consumers in new ways.”
New York remains one of the fastest growing offices in Golin’s global network. It experienced a 20% growth uptick year-over-year and added new clients like Drizly, Fleetcor and [solidcore] in the past 12 months.
Kusterer brings nearly two decades of copywriting, production and conceptual creative experience to this role, most recently serving as ECD for Edelman where she led the agency’s U.S. portfolio of TJX Companies which included T.J.Maxx, Marshalls and Homegoods. Also during her tenure there, she produced award-winning and purpose-driven campaigns for Axe, Blackrock, Carefree, eBay, Ellevest, Let Girls Learn, PepsiCo, Planned Parenthood, Playtex, iRobot, iShares, Vaseline, Wildlife Conservation Society, the WNBA and more. Prior to Edelman, Kusterer was the senior digital editor for FITNESS Magazine and senior editor for Everyday Health where she served its network of digital products like Jillian Michaels, The Sonoma Diet, Denise Austin’s Fit Forever!, Dr. Laura Berman’s Passion Prescription and The Zone Diet.
“I’m energized by Golin’s mission to create change that matters for its clients,” said Kusterer. “I look forward to working with brands on campaigns that have intention and impact at the core of the creative, and I know I’m joining a talented team of creators who share that ambition.”
Golin New York is a hub for ground-breaking and results-driven creative success, recently launching Twisted Tea’s “Vasectomudies” campaign and HARD DEW’s “Definitely Over 21” campaign last month.
“Kristen’s proven track record of award-winning campaigns mixed with her compelling editorial content background adds a strong component to the agency’s established earned-first creative approach,” said George Bryant, Group Chief Creative Officer, Golin. “She understands what excites audiences and will earn the trust of clients who lean into her culture-first ideas in both New York and across the U.S. region.”
Kusterer is supported by more than 20 members of Golin’s New York creator community under the agency’s g4 model. She brings with her a collection of industry awards from Cannes, The One Show, Effies, D&AD, Shorty, PRWeek, SABREs and more.