# Kirsten Flanik

> Kirsten Flanik is the New York-based CEO of Revolt North America, part of Anthesis Group. After building a three-decade advertising career and spending 18 years at BBDO, including seven as president and CEO of its New York agency, she moved in 2024 to expand Revolt's purpose and sustainability strategy practice in the United States. Her record spans major accounts, the launch of Snickers' enduring 'You're Not You When You're Hungry' positioning, and a people-centered leadership philosophy built around trust, representation and giving talent room to work.

- **Role:** CEO, North America at Revolt; Head of Brand & Communications, North America at Anthesis
- **Organizations:** Revolt, Anthesis Group, BBDO New York, BBH New York, Cliff Freeman and Partners, Fallon Minneapolis, WestWayne, Fahlgren, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications
- **From:** Arcadia, Florida, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S. in Advertising, University of Florida
- **Known for:** Ad Age 'Woman to Watch', Named among Ad Age's '100 Most Influential Women in Advertising', Named among Business Insider's '30 Most Powerful Women in Advertising'

## Career timeline

- **Early career** — Began in Florida at Fahlgren and WestWayne, working on brands including McDonald's, Publix and Dollar Rent-a-Car.
- **c. 1995-2001** — Spent six years at Fallon Minneapolis working on United Airlines.
- **2001** — Moved to New York and joined Cliff Freeman and Partners, leading Mohegan Sun and Quiznos accounts.
- **2002** — Joined BBH New York as group account director and later served as joint head of account management and business development director.
- **2006** — Joined BBDO New York.
- **2010** — Helped BBDO win back Snickers and launch the 'You're Not You When You're Hungry' positioning with the Betty White Super Bowl commercial.
- **2014** — Inducted into the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Hall of Fame.
- **2016** — Named president of BBDO New York.
- **2017** — Appointed president and CEO of BBDO New York.
- **2024** — Joined Revolt as CEO, North America to build the purpose consultancy's United States presence.
- **2025** — Made Freya Williams, previously a fractional adviser, Revolt North America's chief strategy officer.
- **2026** — Co-hosted an Anthesis webinar on how brands can communicate sustainability around the issues people care about.

## Achievements

- Ad Age 'Woman to Watch'
- Named among Ad Age's '100 Most Influential Women in Advertising'
- Named among Business Insider's '30 Most Powerful Women in Advertising'
- New York Business Journal 'Woman of Influence'
- Named by Adweek among female disruptors in advertising and technology
- Inducted into the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Hall of Fame in 2014
- Helped BBDO win back Snickers and launch the 'You're Not You When You're Hungry' positioning

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Appeared as Anthesis's Head of Brand & Communications for North America in a webinar exploring changing public priorities and how brands can build sustainability narratives that resonate broadly.
- **2025-06** — Joined a Cannes discussion on the business case for sustainable companies.
- **2025-02** — Appointed sustainability strategist and author Freya Williams as chief strategy officer of Revolt North America.
- **2025-02** — Participated in Trellis's GreenBiz 25 session 'The Cost of Silence.'
- **2024-07** — Joined Revolt as its first CEO for North America after 18 years at BBDO.

## Links

- Website: https://revoltlondon.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-flanik-revolt
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/revoltlondon
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revolt.global/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/revoltlondon

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/kirsten-flanik
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22