Independent agency The Escape Pod has promoted Leah Hattendorf to Senior Vice President, Director of Strategy. In her new role, Leah will continue to lead The Escape Pod’s Research and Strategy group, in addition to spearheading new business efforts and building out additional revenue streams for the agency.
“Leah has worked across all our clients, earning their trust by providing valuable insights to steward and grow their brands. She honed her strategic chops at several top global ad agencies, but what sets her apart is the heart and empathy that she brings to her work. Her commitment to truly understanding the lives of consumers out in the real world has fueled some of our most successful campaigns,” said Norm Bilow, Managing Director and Co-founder of The Escape Pod.
During her time at The Escape Pod, Leah has guided brand and communications strategy for Mondelez, Toys“R”Us, KIND, EGO and Southeastern Grocers. She played an integral role in defining the Toys“R”Us brand promise that championed the importance of play. She was also responsible for positioning and launching EGO as a technology brand in the crowded lawn care category. Most recently she assisted Southeastern Grocers in positioning a new grocery store brand, Fresco y Mas, focused on meeting the needs of the Hispanic community.
“It has been said that a great advertising strategist could probably make the transition to being a great creative, and vice-versa. Leah is one of those rare big picture thinkers who gets it all. She has endless energy, a unique point of view and she's great fun to be around. We couldn't be happier to have her at The Escape Pod,” said Vinny Warren, Executive Creative Director and Co-founder, The Escape Pod.
Prior to joining The Escape Pod, Leah worked at several agencies including JWT New York, FCB and DDB, on clients including Kimberly Clark, Kraft, Cars.com and State Farm.
“The Escape Pod is a dream for the independent-minded. It is the unique agency that’s committed to excellent work but also understands that a humane and inspired environment is essential in order to do so. I feel lucky to have found a team as passionate about the business as I am, and I look forward to building on our successes,” said Leah Hattendorf, SVP Director of Strategy, The Escape Pod.
About The Escape Pod
Founded in 2006, The Escape Pod is an independent, Chicago-based creative powerhouse known for category-changing work that drives results for clients such as Southeastern Grocers (Winn-Dixie, BI-LO & Harveys), Mondelēz, EGO Power+ and Toys”R”Us. In 2017, The Escape Pod formed The Escape Pod Group in partnership with digital production studio, ORA Interactive, and experiential agency, OutCold. The Escape Pod Group is a collective of specialty advertising agencies, purpose-built to deliver breakthrough ideas with speed, agility and cost-savings for clients. We combine creative firepower with full-service capabilities across creative, digital, social and experiential marketing. Our mission: amplifying brands across all channels to drive growth. Learn more at www.theescapepodgroup.com.
