Assembly, a leading global media agency, has announced the appointment of Ilana Casser as Executive Vice President of Growth for North America. Based in New York, Casser will report directly to Global Chief Strategy Officer Pele Cortizo-Burgess and lead business development efforts across the region. Her focus will be on expanding Assembly’s client portfolio and propelling the agency’s go-to-market strategy, solidifying long-term growth across North America.

A Strategic Growth Leader with Industry Depth

Ilana Casser brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing and media, having held senior leadership roles at top-tier agencies such as Omnicom Media Group (OMG), Initiative, and 360i. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation for:

• Blending data-driven strategy with creative insight

• Leading high-impact growth initiatives across diverse sectors

• Building strong client relationships and trust with internal teams and industry intermediaries

"I'm so excited to welcome Ilana to Assembly," said Jill Kelly, CEO, North America. "She brings the kind of clarity, energy, and commercial instinct that helps businesses break through. Fueling growth is a key part of our agency proposition—and Ilana will be a powerful force in helping us do just that for our clients and for our agency."

Elevating the Growth Mandate at Assembly

In her new role, Casser will be instrumental in crafting and executing Assembly’s growth strategy across North America. This includes:

• Identifying new client opportunities

• Enhancing brand performance and business development initiatives

• Positioning Assembly as a strategic partner for brands navigating rapid market transformation

“Assembly’s bold proposition—to find the change that fuels growth for clients—resonates with me,” said Ilana Casser. “The agency is doubling down on brand performance and building experiences that enable this across the board—from media to activation, digital shelf to content. I’m excited to join at such a dynamic time and to help shape the future of growth alongside Pele, Jill, and the incredible team already in place.”

Operational Evolution: Strengthening Client Focus

The leadership transition also signals an evolution in Assembly’s operational structure. Jessie Mamey, who previously led growth for North America, has moved into the role of EVP, Assembly Lead, where she will now oversee a portfolio of high-potential, performance-driven clients. The move reflects Assembly’s strategic shift toward sector- and geography-based Assemblies, aimed at enhancing agility, deepening client focus, and unlocking new market opportunities.

This restructuring positions Assembly to:

• Provide tailored client solutions by geography and sector

• Strengthen leadership alignment around growth objectives

• Scale its brand performance offering across North America and beyond

With Ilana Casser’s appointment, Assembly underscores its commitment to growth through strategic leadership, agility, and innovation. Casser’s experience in driving transformation, paired with Assembly’s evolved operational model, marks a pivotal chapter in the agency’s journey to deliver brand performance at scale.