Independent creative studio Bear Meets Eagle On Fire (BMEOF) has appointed Lea Walker as its first chief executive officer.
Walker has spent almost a decade leading her own talent consultancy, Mrs Walker, which she will close to commence her role as CEO of BMEOF. She brings 30 years of industry experience across account management and talent leadership roles, including time at Wieden+Kennedy, Fallon, and Leo Burnett.
Her husband, Micah Walker, established BMEOF seven years ago to operate as a senior creative partner to a select group of clients. With a bird’s eye view of the industry running her own recruitment firm, Lea became certain that doubling down on BMEOF’s offering was the “right next move”.
“I’ve spent decades learning how this industry works — where it succeeds, where it fails, and what clients and talent need from their partners,” she said.
“I fundamentally believe in creativity that solves real business problems, and I don’t think anyone is doing it better. Bear has never had an interest in growing at all costs or being everything to everyone, and that won’t change – in fact, we’re doubling down on it.
“As the industry consolidates at the network end and brands build stronger in-house capabilities, the agencies with genuine conviction and the talent to back it will be those that win. The right people, in the right environment, doing work they believe in, is the only sustainable competitive advantage.”
In the newly created role, Walker will work alongside founder and chief creative officer Micah to lead the studio’s next phase. Micah said he had been considering appointing a CEO for some time and originally approached his wife to hire for the role externally.
“The brief we kept writing always seemed to describe the same person,” he said. “There’s no one who understands the changing landscape of our industry and represents creativity and talent the way Lea does. She has seen the inner workings of many companies around the world and understands what makes Bear unique.”
Mrs Walker will operate through to the year’s end, before stepping into the CEO role in the new year.
“This gives me some time to wind down some Mrs Walker conversations and to thank my global partners who’ve made the past nine years such a lovely experience,” Lea added.
