Media agency Kepler has appointed Emily Maxey executive vice president-client partner, a newly created role based in New York. The firm has also appointed OMD veteran Ashley Berkowitz to the new post of vice president-head of strategic planning.  

Maxey previously served in senior marketing roles at Fila—where she was a Kepler client—as well as at Adidas and Gap.  

She will serve as executive sponsor across accounts including Rhone and La Colombe, while also supporting business development and strategic growth initiatives, according to the agency. 

Maxey joins a growing group of senior Kepler leaders who began their careers on the brand side, including chief creative officer Camm Rowland, formerly of Kohler, and EVP-client partner Jim Halliday, who has held leadership roles at brands such as Bed Bath & Beyond, TickPick, and Hunnyball. 

“As an industry, agencies talk a lot about being partners, but partnership starts with understanding what it’s like to sit on the other side of the table,” said Kepler’s global CEO Remy Stiles. “Emily, Camm, and Jim have all lived that reality. That client-informed perspective is core to how we build strategy, structure teams, and ultimately drive results for our clients.” 

Berkowitz was at OMD for six years and earlier served at Publicis media agency Spark Foundry and GroupM.   

Kepler said her strategy role aligns with its “broader integration efforts.” And she brings a strong perspective on how brands “can show up meaningfully in culture while navigating complex business and regulatory environments,” the firm stated.