News

Adding to its rapidly growing Connection Strategy department, Solve has hired Yoshina Okamoto as a Connection Analyst. Recently relocated from Anchorage, Alaska, Okamoto’s career has spanned multiple areas in the industry, from PR outreach to digital and social media. While she’ll be a versatile team member across many functions, her core focus at Solve will be to further develop the strategic approach across all existing and emerging media platforms. “We’re really excited to add Yoshina’s energy to our Connection Strategy team,” says Corey Johnson, Solve President. “She’s skilled in so many areas, bringing a breadth of perspective to our increasing media workload.”

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John Colasanti, CEO and Founder of Minneapolis-based Solve, has been tapped to return as a mentor for the Effie Academy, now in its second year. Created by Effie Worldwide, a preeminent authority on marketing effectiveness, the Effie Academy focuses on educating high-potential marketing professionals in brand strategy. It’s a rigorous, fast-paced global certification program that takes place in New York, Beijing and San Francisco throughout 2020. Nominated by their leadership, mentees come from a diverse group of the world’s top marketing companies. This year’s mentor group comprises a dynamic team of industry leaders. In addition to Solve, mentors come from New Balance, NBCU, Havas and TBWA\Chiat\Day, among others.

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Deutsch, TBWA\Chiat\Day Vet Will Lead Integrated Content Production

Solve has tapped Lisa K. Johnson to head its Production discipline. As Director Of Production, Johnson will oversee all aspects of integrated production including upstream inspiration, execution shaping and refinement, content capture and further building-out of the agency’s in-house studio.

Executive roles at Deutsch and TBWA\Chiat\Day in Los Angeles, as well as significant freelance experience at agencies including Wieden+Kennedy, have allowed Johnson to lead integrated production efforts on some of the industry’s biggest, most premier stages. Johnson’s also worked at Union Editorial and Target, which has further broadened her perspective.

“Lisa’s a consummate pro with an amazing reel and an even better reputation as a leader,” said John Colasanti, Solve CEO. “Her desire to continue discovering and learning make Lisa a strong, inventive problem solver…critical in today’s swirling content world,” Colasanti added. 

“I’m excited about the energy and focus of Solve’s leadership team,” said Johnson. “Although the agency’s accomplished a lot in a short period of time, the appetite to get better is abundantly clear. Ultimately, that’s what attracted me to the opportunity,” Johnson added.

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Agency Adds New Position To Help Manage Growth

Kara Brower, a Solve Partner who’s served as Director of Project Management for four years, has been named Director of Operations. In this expanded role, Brower’s responsibilities will include project forecasting, emerging work tools evaluation and implementation, staff allocation and formalizing employee growth programs.

Director of Operations is a new position at Solve. Created to better manage staffing needs, employee development programs and work process refinement opportunities, the job will enable Brower to more broadly impact and optimize the agency’s operation in critical areas.

“As we’ve gotten bigger, it’s become increasingly apparent we need to formalize many of our foundational staff and operating efforts,” said Corey Johnson, Solve President and Co-Founder. “Kara’s done a great job managing a long list of diverse projects, now we’re asking her to further her contribution as it relates to our macro operation,” Johnson added.

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BrandLab mentee Tae Walker visited Solve this week, shadowing different departments across the agency to get a hands-on look at the industry. Established in 2012, BrandLab’s program seeks to change the face of the ad industry by preparing diverse students for careers in marketing and advertising. Tae is currently a student at Minneapolis Community & Technical College, looking to enter the advertising scene once he graduates. “We’re excited to have Tae with us this week and give him his first experience at an advertising agency,” says Solve Account Supervisor and BrandLab mentor Ky Anderson. “We’re hoping it’ll provide a solid foundation as he carves the path for his career.”

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