DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- McKinney, named the most effective independent advertising agency in the world in 2012 by Effie Worldwide and Warc, announced today that it has expanded its East Coast footprint by opening an office in New York. The talent and activities of New York-based Cheil USA will now become part of McKinney's new offering in New York, further establishing the agency as the creative and strategic centerpiece of Cheil Worldwide, one of the world's largest marketing and communications networks.

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Peter Nicholson, most recently the top creative at JWT New York and previously at Redscout, joins McKinney as executive creative director in the New York office, reporting to McKinney Chief Creative Officer Jonathan Cude, effective immediately. Nicholson will lead the agency's efforts alongside Managing Director Alex Van Gestel and Head of Strategic Services Yusuf Chuku, who both join McKinney from Cheil USA. With a presence that stretches from Durham to New York, McKinney grows to over 240 people working in a highly collaborative manner to create talked-about work for clients seeking integrated advertising operations, including experiential marketing and design services.

"Our partnership with Cheil Worldwide has exceeded every expectation since we agreed to play a central role in the reinvention of the global network," said Brad Brinegar, chairman and CEO of McKinney. "With Cheil's support, we are thrilled to expand McKinney to New York. We expect to create a very collaborative and fluid operation combining the talents and resources of one great agency with two front doors."   

"Bringing McKinney to New York is a quantum leap forward for Cheil Worldwide's transformation into a true global network of the best local ad agencies," said Buz Sawyer, president and CEO of Cheil North America. "As partners, Brad and I will continue to write the future of the network in the U.S. and beyond with an 'open-source' approach to collaboration and an entrepreneurial drive for shared growth."

About McKinney
McKinney was recently named the most effective independent advertising agency in the world by Effie Worldwide and Warc. The agency also took home Best in Show at the 2012 IAB MIXX Awards that honors the best creative digital advertising in the world. Over the past year, McKinney has won 43 major industry awards including five Effies, a Cannes Cyber Lion, six One Show Pencils, six IAB MIXX Awards, a Webby and best-in-show website at the OMMA Awards. Founded in 1969, Durham, NC-based McKinney is recognized for having one of the most innovative business models in the industry, focused on big ideas brought to life in powerful conversations between people and brands. McKinney has also been recognized as one of the best U.S. agencies, one of the Best Places to Work in Marketing & Media by Advertising Age, and one of a handful of agencies setting the standard for creativity by One Magazine. The agency's clients include Nationwide, Nationwide Financial, Travelocity, Samsung, Brown-Forman, Meijer, Sherwin-Williams, Gold's Gym, Mizuno, CenturyLink, Royal Canin, Big Boss Brewing, Urban Ministries of Durham and Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau. McKinney is part of Cheil Worldwide, one of the world's leading marketing communications networks with 55 offices in 30 countries.

About Cheil Worldwide
Cheil Worldwide Inc., is Korea's largest and one of the world's leading marketing communications networks. Established in 1973 with headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Cheil operates 55 offices in 30 countries with over 4,000 employees. Cheil offers a full portfolio of marketing communications services including advertising, PR, sports marketing, exhibition and display production, and production of large-scale performance events.

Media Contact:
Janet Northen
919-313-4062  
jnorthen@mckinney.com
@jnorthen

SOURCE McKinney