US indie agency, American Haiku, Ad Age’s 2025 Newcomer Agency of the Year, has appointed Jessica Kingsbery as its first-ever chief executive officer. She will oversee the agency’s strategic direction, business development, and operational performance across all client engagements, reporting to Thom Glover, founder and chief creative officer of American Haiku, partnering with Glover and the agency’s leadership team to build a bold creative future for the agency.

“Jessica is the kind of leader who brings people together around a shared vision—and then turns that vision into real business results that move the needle for some of today’s top brands,” Glover stated. “She leads with clarity, focus, and purpose, and I couldn’t imagine a better partner to shape what’s next for American Haiku.”

Kingsbery brings leadership experience across some of the industry’s most influential creative shops. She joins from Droga5 (part of Accenture Song) after eight-and-a-half-years at the agency, most recently as managing director, and has also worked at Grey, DDB, and Havas. Recently named to the 2024 Adweek 50 list, she is known for her ability to unite teams, drive business results, and build lasting client relationships rooted in creative excellence.

Ted Meyer also joins American Haiku from Droga5 where he spent over a decade, most recently as creative director, working across clients including Meta, lululemon, Hennessy, and Ancestry. He will report to Glover and work across the agency’s full client roster.

Kingsbery and Meyer begin their new roles immediately.