Free rein: After six years at Wieden+Kennedy, Bender is now bringing his talents to edgy campaigns at Mother, one of the U.K.’s largest independent agencies.
Al Merry
Co-founder & CCO, Flower Shop
In bloom: In 2022, Al Merry and his co-founder, Mary Lou Bunn, stepped away from big agency life to start their own firm in an old flower shop—one where ideas grow and creativity killers like bloat and bureaucracy are pruned.
What you reap: Revenue grew 48% year-over-year in 2024 and 32% in 2025, with major wellness client wins in 2025 from Tonal, C4, Propel, and others. Its small-but-mighty team of eight put out 21 films, eight full brand campaigns, and 248 assets in 2025, putting it on par with the major players Merry drew inspiration from.
Paying it forward: Committed to giving back, he regularly hosts portfolio reviews and feedback sessions for budding creatives.
Alberto Ponte & Ryan O’Rourke
Co-founders & CCOs, Someplace
Going their own way: The two brains behind the Nike global account at Wieden+Kennedy founded their own creative shop with collaborator Daniel Sheniak, quickly scooping up clients like Lululemon, Moncler, Fox Sports, and Maserati in their first year—and netting five Clio Sports wins.
Rewriting the script: To help Lululemon move away from yoga pants, they tapped a septuagenarian bodybuilder as well as Formula 1 racer Lewis Hamilton for a campaign on holistic wellness. They also got soccer star Alex Morgan to lend her talents to Chobani when it became the exclusive nutrition sponsor of U.S. soccer.
