Spiro Appoints John Emmaneel as Global Operations Leader
On October 6, 2026, Spiro®, a prominent global experiential agency, announced the appointment of John Emmaneel as the Executive Vice President of Global Operations and Innovation for its Brand Activations and Events (BAE) division. This strategic decision marks a pivotal moment for Spiro as it seeks to streamline its operational processes and innovate within the competitive landscape of event marketing.
John Emmaneel steps into this crucial role as the need for distinctive and commercially viable brand experiences continues to grow. His responsibilities will include overseeing the planning, staffing, and execution of a wide array of projects across different markets. Emmaneel aims to enhance the agency's capabilities to meet evolving client demands, working closely with Jen Shankman, who leads growth and strategic relationships at BAE, and both will report to Carley Faircloth-Kilmurray, the agency's Global Director of Marketing, Strategy, and Brand Experiences.
Faircloth-Kilmurray expressed her confidence in Emmaneel, stating, "BAE combines the necessary structure to manage a global portfolio with the creative drive to make every experience unique. John knows how to realize this at scale. With over 25 years of experience creating teams and capabilities that respond to clients' complex needs, he can transform ambitious ideas into effective results while ensuring operational robustness worldwide."
Emmaneel joins Spiro from Invision, where he led the innovation sector and the Chicago office, notably managing the division of video games and entertainment, while advancing regional services and growth. His extensive background includes leadership roles at Kenwood Experiences and Jack Morton Worldwide, where he collaborated with renowned brands such as Square Enix, Google, Intel, NVIDIA, Samsung, and Northwestern Mutual.
Reflecting on his new role, Emmaneel stated, "What attracted me to Spiro was the combination within BAE of a solid strategic and operational depth, coupled with a desire to create work that genuinely matters to people. There is a strong foundation here and a real ambition for what lies ahead. I look forward to better connecting the agency's experience across various markets and assisting teams in executing ambitious projects for our clients."
About Spiro Brand Activations & Events
Spiro’s specialized team in Brand Activations and Events curates live experiences that feel vibrant, transforming client engagements into meaningful interactions. Their expertise encompasses conferences, product launches, corporate meetings, festivals, and activations, driven by strong corporate and consumer experience backgrounds. The BAE division balances a structured array of services with a creative touch, ensuring each experience is unique while upholding the promise of Experience Brand Gravity™, which connects brands and their customers in a memorable way.
About Spiro
Spiro is a global experiential agency fueled by creativity and guided by strategic vision. It sets the standard for how brands connect and grow by accelerating Brand Gravity™—the emotional and behavioral force, founded on data, that unites brands with their audiences. With a global presence and the trust of some of the world’s most influential brands, Spiro translates brands into immersive experiences that draw customers back.
For more information, visit
spiro.com.