Booms Shakes Augusts Biggest Hires Launches And Wins From Across The Industry

Creative Boom: News Booms & Shakes Booms & Shakes: Why August's hires and launches might suggest the worst is behind us In our monthly celebration of all that's happening across the creative world, we explore the biggest movers, shakers and launches. And the big takeaway? Things are looking up. Written By: Katy Cowan 12 August 2026 M+C Saatchi promotes Guy Bradbury and hires Regan Warner As the editor of Creative Boom, I get to chat with so many founders and leaders. For a long while, they've been telling me how quiet it's been. That the last 18 months have been god-awful for cash flow and investments.

Which is why I am so happy to share August's Booms & Shakes. It seems things are looking up. I'm getting a sense we might be over the worst of it. Touch wood. And if Andy Burnham does the right thing and gives us some solid business confidence next month, I think we might be okay. We started this monthly column last September for two reasons. One, to support the hardworking PR side of the industry. (I spent many years in marketing and understand the challenge of securing media coverage for clients, so I wanted to help.) And two, to celebrate the industry and all of its positive news. Because we all need some optimism right now.

I won't bore you with the usual "AI is having its impact". We all know what's happening. I am, however, seeing a shift. Looking through all the press releases and email pitches this week, one thing stands out: for all the doom and gloom people are spouting, an awful lot of agencies and studios are getting on with the job. We're seeing new chief execs step into exciting new roles. Independent studios are joining forces to take on new sectors. And, even better, there are loads of new hires and promotions. This isn't a sign of decay... It's perhaps the beginning of another boom I've been predicting.

I think, in fact, we're potentially facing one of the biggest waves of creativity since the digital revolution. And on that note, let's get stuck in. Hires and Promotions Forever makes some key hires Forever, the global collective of creative studios including FutureDeluxe, Tendril, Builders Club, Found and Trizz, has appointed Carolyn Taylor as VP of client partnerships. She joins from Monks, where she was group business director. It's a strategic hire and follows another recent appointment: Chris Bahry, who is its new chief executive officer.

Carolyn will hold key accounts spanning the group, acting as the senior bridge between Forever's many studios and its clients. She'll also work closely with Chris and Kate Bate (COO), and the wider team. "We are scaling taste, and that is a harder problem than scaling output," explains Chris. "It takes someone who can hold a client relationship across our studios without sanding off what makes each one distinct. Carolyn has been doing that work at the group scale throughout her career. We're lucky to get her." Good luck in your new role, Carolyn.

Carolyn Taylor Chris Bahry Redscout appoints Michael Keany as CEO Brand consultancy Redscout (part of Stagwell) has appointed Michael Keany as its new CEO, marking the next chapter in its growth. He brings more than 25 years of experience to the role. This comes after he recently founded Bryant Park Studio and also served as a professor of creative business leadership at SCAD. "I am most excited about building on Redscout's creative ambition, strategic rigour, and passion for the industry, while driving the company forward with fresh thinking and a steadfast commitment to our clients, people and craft," he says.

Article truncated for readability. Read the full piece →

The article discusses significant hires in the creative industry, reflecting a broader trend that impacts brand strategy, though the concept of hiring as a response to market conditions is not entirely new.