Jonathan Akwue Becomes First President of DE-YAN Studio Driving Creative Strategy Forward

Jonathan Akwue Named President of DE-YAN: A Milestone in Brand Experience

In a significant move for the global brand experience studio DE-YAN, Jonathan Akwue has been appointed the company’s first-ever President. This appointment comes in the wake of a banner year for the studio, which won the title of Experiential Agency of the Year at the Ad Age Small Agency Awards and became the first organization globally to obtain a Marketing Accountability Standards Board (MASB) certification for experiential return on investment (ROI).

Akwue’s Background and Vision

Akwue, who previously served as President at Translation, brings over 25 years of leadership experience from top-tier agencies such as Publicis Groupe, where he held the role of President and Global Media Lead, among others. Based in New York, he will collaborate closely with founder and CEO Dejan Jovanovic and the executive team to further develop client relationships and expand DE-YAN's creative endeavors.

His understanding of the evolving landscape of brand building places him in a pivotal role as businesses increasingly seek integrated strategies that encompass creativity, technology, and real-world experiences.

Akwue expressed his excitement about joining DE-YAN, stating, “I walked through the retail experience for Meta and thought it was incredible. I wanted to know who created such impactful work.” His vision emphasizes the necessity for brands to engage consumers meaningfully in an era where experiences must seamlessly transcend digital and physical realms.

DE-YAN’s Growth and Innovative Approach

The presence of Akwue marks only the latest milestone in DE-YAN’s rapid growth trajectory. In recent years, the studio has expanded its headcount significantly and enriched its leadership team, further solidifying its position in the market as a leading brand experience studio rather than a traditional advertising agency. Jovanovic remarked, “We believe in inverting the pyramid. Instead of merely augmenting campaigns with experiences, we prioritize real-world engagements that serve as the foundation for all marketing efforts.”

This innovative mindset reflects a broader shift in the industry towards experiential marketing. As agencies scramble to adapt, DE-YAN stands out for its synthesized approach that fuses creativity with detailed measurement tools like the Experiential Revenue Impact Calculator (ERIC), which quantifies the financial impact of live marketing experiences.

Recent Achievements and Future Plans

Recent accomplishments further illustrate DE-YAN's growing influence, highlighted by its involvement in creating the opening sequence for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Halftime Show and various high-profile projects for brands like PUMA and Meta. The studio's multi-faceted strategy is designed to adapt campaigns across different platforms while prioritizing customer experience and engagement.

As DE-YAN continues to expand, Akwue's leadership will be instrumental in steering the studio towards unparalleled growth and creativity in a landscape that demands innovation and connection. “Being here feels like stepping onto a rocket ship,” he remarked, hinting at the exciting journey ahead for both him and the studio.

In summary, Jonathan Akwue's appointment as President marks a transformational moment for DE-YAN, as the studio prepares to explore new horizons in brand experience. This transition not only fortifies the studio’s leadership but also sets the stage for innovative collaborations and compelling creative narratives in the years to come. DE-YAN is poised to redefine industry standards further, proving that the future truly belongs to brands that prioritize authentic connections and experiences over mere automation of content.