Khemistry hires Priscilla Jeha as client services head and Caroline Starecky as innovation head
Brisbane-based fully integrated agency Khemistry has today announced the expansion of its leadership team with the appointment of Priscilla Jeha (pictured fourth from left) as head of client services and Caroline Starecky (far left) as head of innovation and strategy.
Managing partner Andy Fyffe said the company’s newest appointments will further broadened the expertise and services of his agency.
Says Fyffe: “Khemistry has been able to attract this calibre of talent because it is an independent agency that lives and breathes its vision of being innovative creator. We have built a strong company culture over the years without the financial pressures of a global agency network.
“This has enabled us to invest in innovative processes, as well as new technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), which have successfully been leveraged to add value to our clients’ marketing strategies, as well as drive our growth across Australia.”
Jeha and Starecky will both report to Khemistry’s chief experience officer (CXO), Michelle Tungate.
Says Tungate: “Queensland really has become the incubator for innovation in Australia, which has helped us attract two great senior leaders of the calibre of Priscilla and Caroline. We’re excited to see the international experience and insights they will deliver to our clients.”
Tungate added that recruiting for the two new senior roles had been a humbling experience: “It’s great to know that it’s our innovative output and company culture that attracted them. I am grateful to our clients for having the courage to try something new and, of course, to our team for their creative talent.”
As head of client services, Jeha will lead the account service team and develop strategic campaigns to support Khemistry’s rapidly growing network of clients. Having previously lived and worked in Brisbane, Jeha is returning after an eight-year stint in London, where she most recently worked as a global business director at award-winning international agency Grey.
Speaking from Khemistry’s Newstead headquarters in Brisbane, Jeha said she was delighted to begin working with her new team: “I’m excited about Khemistry’s unique ability to offer our clients a brief-to-broadcast service. We have in-house production – particularly in digital, content, AR and VR – so that means we can offer a nimble service model that delivers innovative solutions, strategically, efficiently and cost-effectively.”
As head of strategy and innovation, Starecky will drive Khemistry’s new ‘innovation practice’, which is designed to help brands meet business challenges and foster innovation upstream in their product development and processes, not simply in their marketing campaigns.
Hailing from North America, Starecky has extensive experience in the creative marketing space that spans the retail, manufacturing, services, health, entertainment and advertising sectors. Starecky said she was looking forward to utilising her innovation coaching expertise and advertising background (JWT, Nurun, Publicis) to create long-term value for Khemistry’s clients and identify opportunities for growth.
Says Starecky: “Khemistry is an incredibly innovative organisation with a great in-house team of strategists, creators and technologists, which is extremely beneficial for our clients who can experience a collaborative design experience from start to finish.”
Both appointments are effective immediately.
(Pictured L-R: Caroline Starecky (head of innovation and strategy), Andy Fyffe (managing partner), Michelle Tungate (chief experience officer), Priscilla Jeha (head of client services), James Bracken (head of digital), Lindsay Thompson (creative director), Phil Hagstrom (head of content)