Member News

October 26, 2016

San Francisco integrated advertising agency Duncan/Channon, a 2016 Ad Age Small Agency of the Year, has rebranded with a new identity and website, as well as a retooled leadership team to mark a new chapter in the agency’s future. Sure to prompt discussion, the agency’s new identity even comes with its own handy, NSFW trolling guide for the busy would-be hater. The agency, which has also removed the slash from its name to become simply Duncan Channon, unveiled its new look on October 26, 2016.

Duncan Channon also announced new leadership changes: Founder and Partner Robert Duncan is now chairman, Founder and Partner Parker Channon has become the agency’s first chief marketing officer and Anne Elisco-Lemme now leads all creative work as the sole executive creative director. The agency also elevated Jamie Katz as the office’s director of account management and Rachel Hermansader as its first director of marketing and business development. Katz will take over chief responsibility for account management from CEO Andy Berkenfield, who previously played this role. Both Katz and Hermansader were group account directors prior to their promotions. Robert Duncan will continue to be involved in the agency’s creative work and its distinctive, collaborative office culture.

“Our new look and leadership double down on the belief that human creativity, in all its magnificent messiness, is more essential than ever in an increasingly algorithmic world,” said Duncan Channon Founder and Chairman Robert Duncan. “This talented team is poised to accelerate the agency’s growth and I remain ready to keep the fires burning under our work and inimitable culture.”

Anne Elisco-Lemme has been a key player in Duncan Channon’s creative leadership in her 19 years with the agency. Her portfolio at Duncan Channon includes award-winning work such as California Tobacco Control Program’s “Wake Up” campaign, Esurance’s rebrand and Kona Brewing’s “Dear Mainland.” Elisco-Lemme previously served as co-executive creative director with Parker Channon. Channon will bring a creative’s perspective to his role as chief marketing officer, a fitting lens for a shop that was founded and built on creativity.

Chief Creative Officer Michael Lemme led the agency rebrand, a signal of the agency’s next chapter following more than 25 years in business.

“Our new mark is custom made – intentionally quirky and distinctive. In the context of increasingly careful and measured marketing, we wanted our identity to be a symbol for the vital, incalculable, unpredictable role of creativity and personal expression in every aspect of our work,” said Lemme. “Our clients want bold, artful, provocative ideas for their brands.”

“Duncan Channon’s best work – the work that made StubHub a household name, that transformed the Esurance brand, and that is changing the way people view vaping – is built on human creativity. Creativity will drive the future of our agency, and our industry’s ability to connect with consumers no matter what the platform,” added CEO Andy Berkenfield.

The rebrand and leadership realignment come on the heels of several accolades for the agency. Duncan Channon was recently named a 2016 Ad Age Small Agency of the Year. The agency also earned honors for its “Wake Up” public health campaign for the California Tobacco Control Program, including a Silver Effie, Best in Show at the Healthcare Marketing IMPACT Awards presented by Modern Healthcare and Advertising Age, Campaign of the Year from the San Francisco Bay Area Innovation Group and a Pixel Award for the campaign’s website StillBlowingSmoke.org.