Four top directors become Barbarians

Digital creative agency Barbarian, backed by Cheil, has made a series of senior appointments as it builds a high-powered management team to cope with a surge of new business.

To oversee the search for new talent during this period of rapid expansion the agency has hired Melissa Fry from Keurig Dr Pepper as Director for People and Culture. Reporting to Barbarian chief executive Steven Moy, Melissa will scale and build a recruitment process for new talent and promote the agency’s progressive diversity and inclusion strategy. 

Fry will take on the key role of evolving Barbarian’s internal culture to make the agency the most desirable and exciting place to work in the industry. Previously director of operations at Dr Pepper’s internal agency Liquid Sunshine, Melissa has also worked at agencies including Vayner and Crispin Porter Bogusky and was studio manager for Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor. 

Fry says: “The goal of every People Team should be to create the most poach-worthy force of talent in the industry. This role is about creating sustainable initiatives that provide the challenges, mentorship and growth opportunities ( to attract the best creative technologists.) 

Barbarian chief executive Steven Moy says: “With Barbarian’s explosive growth, we have brought the best talents from the industry. As a leading 3% certified company, Melissa’s decades of experience and leadership will refine Barbarian’s culture and talent management. She will help every Barbarian grow and to create their future career faster.”

Above: Fry and Rutkowsky.

The agency has also hired executive producer Shannon Rutkowsky as Director of Production and Business Management. Rutkowsky, who has a wealth of experience at agencies including Digitas, Wunderman Thompson and MRM/McCann, will take the lead on Barbarian’s original content creation. She will also oversee the newly-created Business Affairs department and report to Barbarian’s managing director Courtney Berry. 

Rutkowsky says: “My passion in life is to be a storyteller, so I’m thrilled to join the Barbarian family. It is a huge privilege to lead production at the agency and bring to life our innovative creative ideas and experiences with craft and ingenuity.” 

CEO Steven Moy says: “Speed and craftsmanship are today’s competitive advantage for every brand. At Barbarian, we unlock growth for our clients within weeks, not months.  Shannon’s expertise in new content, product and service production helps our clients to create both remarkable and profitable customer experiences.”