Minneapolis, MN – Independent advertising agency Zeus Jones announced today a meaningful leadership shift, appointing Design Leader Brad Surcey and former Fallon CEO Rocky Novak as Co-Chief Executive Officers. The appointments,which took effect in July,were publicly revealed today,marking a pivotal moment for the growing agency.
Surcey, a founding member of Zeus Jones since 2007, has been instrumental in shaping the agency’s creative vision and nurturing key client relationships with major brands including Chipotle, Hilton, and Fidelity. Novak brings over two decades of experience from Fallon, where he progressed from a Media Supervisor to Chief Executive officer, spearheading advancements in digital strategy and analytics for clients like Arby’s, Walmart, Disney, and H&R Block.
A Return to Collaborative Roots
Table of Contents
- 1. A Return to Collaborative Roots
- 2. Embracing Artificial Intelligence for Brand Evolution
- 3. Agency Structure and Size
- 4. The Evolving Role of Advertising Agencies
- 5. Frequently Asked Questions About Zeus Jones’ Leadership Change
- 6. How is Zeus Jones specifically translating military skills into demonstrable competencies for AI roles?
- 7. Veterans Empower the Next Generation in AI: Spearheading Zeus Jones into the Future
- 8. The unique Skillset Veterans Bring to Artificial Intelligence
- 9. Zeus Jones: A Veteran-Focused Pathway to AI Careers
- 10. Specific AI Roles Veterans excel In
- 11. The Benefits of a Veteran-Inclusive AI Workforce
- 12. Real-World Impact: Veteran-Led AI Projects at Zeus Jones
The pairing of Surcey and Novak isn’t entirely new. The two leaders previously collaborated at Fallon in the early 2000s, and now reunite at Zeus Jones to chart its future course. Surcey emphasized the agency’s longstanding philosophy: “At Zeus Jones, we’ve always believed in blurring the lines between creative and strategic thinking to achieve sharper, more impactful results.”
Novak explained his motivation for joining the smaller, more agile firm. “I was seeking a challenging environment where I could contribute to building something special,” he stated. “Zeus Jones offered that entrepreneurial spark and the opportunity to help write the next chapter of a thriving agency.”
Embracing Artificial Intelligence for Brand Evolution
A key focus for the new leadership duo is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the agency’s core strategy. However,they are not viewing AI as simply a tool for efficiency gains. Rather, they envision it as a catalyst for creating “living brands” – brands capable of dynamically evolving with cultural shifts and consumer behavior. According to recent reports from Forrester, 63% of marketers plan to increase their AI investments in the next year.
Novak elaborated, “We’re at a seismic moment in the industry.AI is reshaping how work gets done and how people live. Our approach is to build brands that can truly come alive,and that requires skilled brand marketers more than ever.” Surcey added, “We’re developing modular brand elements that are constantly updated with cultural insights, allowing brands to remain relevant and responsive.”
Agency Structure and Size
Zeus Jones currently operates with a team of just under 40 professionals,supplemented by freelance talent as needed. This lean structure, according to both Surcey and Novak, contributes to the agency’s responsiveness and adaptability when serving its diverse portfolio of blue-chip clients. The agency doesn’t adhere to traditional account management roles, with all team members contributing to client relationship planning.
| Leader | Title | Prior Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Brad Surcey | Co-CEO | Founding Member, Zeus Jones (since 2007) |
| Rocky novak | Co-CEO | Former CEO, Fallon (22 years) |
Did You Know? The global advertising market is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2027, with digital advertising continuing to drive growth (Source: statista).
The Evolving Role of Advertising Agencies
The appointment of surcey and Novak reflects a broader trend within the advertising industry: a move towards integrated,data-driven,and technologically advanced marketing solutions. Agencies are no longer solely focused on creating campaigns; they are increasingly tasked with building and maintaining brand ecosystems that span multiple channels and adapt to real-time market changes.This requires a new breed of leaders who can bridge the gap between creativity, technology, and data analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zeus Jones’ Leadership Change
What impact do you think AI will have on the future of advertising? And how critically important is agility for agencies in today’s rapidly changing market? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
How is Zeus Jones specifically translating military skills into demonstrable competencies for AI roles?
Veterans Empower the Next Generation in AI: Spearheading Zeus Jones into the Future
The unique Skillset Veterans Bring to Artificial Intelligence
The intersection of military experience and the burgeoning field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is proving to be a powerful force. At Zeus Jones, we’re seeing firsthand how veterans are not just adapting to, but leading the charge in AI growth, machine learning, and data science. This isn’t accidental. The core competencies honed in service – strategic thinking,problem-solving under pressure,analytical rigor,and a commitment to mission success – translate remarkably well to the challenges of building and deploying intelligent systems.
Many assume AI is purely a technical domain. While technical expertise is crucial, triumphant AI implementation requires a broader skillset. Veterans often possess this, having routinely managed complex projects, analyzed vast amounts of information, and made critical decisions with incomplete data – all hallmarks of effective AI solutions.
Zeus Jones: A Veteran-Focused Pathway to AI Careers
Zeus Jones has intentionally cultivated a culture that welcomes and supports veterans transitioning into tech careers, specifically within the AI industry. We recognize the untapped potential within this community and have built programs designed to bridge the gap between military experience and the demands of AI roles.
Here’s how we’re doing it:
* Targeted Recruitment: We actively partner with veteran organizations and attend career fairs specifically geared towards transitioning service members.
* Skills Translation Workshops: These workshops help veterans articulate how their military skills align with AI job descriptions. For example, intelligence analysis directly correlates to data analysis and pattern recognition – key skills in machine learning.
* Customized Training Programs: We offer tailored training in Python, TensorFlow, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP), and other essential AI technologies.These programs are designed to build upon existing analytical foundations.
* Mentorship Programs: Pairing veteran employees with experienced AI professionals provides invaluable guidance and support.
Specific AI Roles Veterans excel In
Veterans aren’t just filling any role at Zeus Jones; they’re thriving in specific areas where their skills are particularly valuable.
* AI Ethicist: The military’s emphasis on rules of engagement and ethical decision-making makes veterans uniquely suited to navigate the complex ethical considerations surrounding AI development and deployment.
* AI Project Manager: Years of leading teams and managing complex operations translate seamlessly to AI project management, ensuring projects stay on track and within budget.
* Data Scientist: The ability to analyze large datasets, identify trends, and draw actionable insights is a core skill for both intelligence analysts and data scientists.
* Cybersecurity Specialist (AI-Focused): Protecting AI systems from cyber threats requires a deep understanding of security protocols and threat detection – areas where veterans frequently enough have extensive experience.
* Machine Learning Engineer: Veterans with a technical background frequently enough quickly grasp the principles of machine learning and contribute to building and deploying AI models.
The Benefits of a Veteran-Inclusive AI Workforce
Building a diverse workforce, including veterans, isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s a strategic advantage.
* Enhanced Problem-Solving: Diverse teams are more innovative and better equipped to tackle complex challenges.
* Improved Decision-Making: Different perspectives lead to more informed and well-rounded decisions.
* Stronger Company Culture: Veterans frequently enough bring a strong work ethic, a commitment to teamwork, and a sense of purpose.
* Increased Innovation: The unique experiences of veterans can spark new ideas and approaches to AI development.
Real-World Impact: Veteran-Led AI Projects at Zeus Jones
We’ve seen the impact of veteran leadership on several key projects.One notable example involves developing an AI-powered predictive maintenance system for a large manufacturing client. A former Army logistics officer, now a Project Manager at Zeus Jones, leveraged his experience in supply chain optimization to streamline the AI model’s integration into the client’s existing infrastructure. His understanding of operational efficiency proved invaluable, resulting in a faster deployment and a meaningful return on investment for the client.
Another project, focused on AI-driven fraud detection for a financial institution, benefited from the analytical skills of a former Navy intelligence analyst. Her ability to identify subtle patterns and anomalies in data led to the development of a more accurate
