GYK just made a move that says something about where it’s headed.
Mark Philip, a Cannes-winning creative director who’s built campaigns for Bank of America, Gatorade and Google, joins the Boston-based indie agency as Head of Creative. The hire lands at a moment when GYK is already riding momentum—15% year-over-year growth, ranked #6 in Indie Agency News’ 2025 Top 40 and preparing to open Queen City Studios, a 7,800-square-foot production space designed to expand its creative and content capabilities.
Philip brings a résumé that reflects both scale and scrappiness. He’s led creative at Digitas, MullenLowe, VML and Momentum, working across brands like Dunkin’ Donuts, MasterCard, Royal Caribbean and Southwest Airlines. But he’s also run The Frondeur, his independent creative consultancy, partnering with challenger brands, nonprofits and startups. That entrepreneurial streak is what caught GYK’s attention.
The work that travels
At VML, Philip created Gatorade’s Super Bowl Dunk on Snapchat—a cultural moment inspired by the iconic post-win tradition that generated more views than the game itself and earned a Gold Cannes Lion. At Digitas, he served as creative director on JFK Moonshot, an augmented reality recreation of the Apollo 11 moon landing that became the agency’s most-awarded campaign and redefined immersive storytelling.
Both projects share a common thread: they tapped into culture authentically enough to travel far beyond traditional media. That’s the approach Philip will bring to GYK’s portfolio, which includes New Hampshire Tourism, Sweet Baby Ray’s, Milo’s Tea Company, NH Lottery, Citizens Bank and others.
Building ideas, teams and culture
“Mark is a builder—of ideas, teams and culture,” says Pam Hamlin, President of GYK. “His belief in creativity as a driver of growth, combined with his expertise in building brands and immersive digital or social experiences, makes him a strong fit for where GYK is headed.”
Philip’s role centers on shaping GYK’s creative vision with a focus on digital, social and technology-driven ideas that allow clients to outthink and outcreate competitors. It’s a mandate that aligns with the agency’s current trajectory and the capabilities Queen City Studios will unlock when it opens.
Why now, why GYK
Philip’s decision to join an independent agency after years at global networks and running his own consultancy reflects what draws talent to the indie model: speed, freedom and the ability to stay close to the work.
“I’ve always admired GYK’s storied history and strong independent spirit,” Philip says. “It provides both the foundation and fuel for creative innovation. And with our strong client roster and the coming opening of Queen City Studios, there’s never been a better time to be at GYK.”
Beyond advertising, Philip is the author of Less Scroll More Soul, a book exploring parenting in the social media era, and the founder of Mentmii, a youth mentorship platform that supports Gen Alpha through local connections and learning. Throughout his career, his work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, ANDYs, D&AD, The One Show, Clios and Effies.
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