Connections: Saatchi & Saatchi X names Esmond new president

Springdale-based advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi X has named Lee Esmond of Fayetteville as its new president.

She is replacing Jessica Hendrix, who led the agency for nearly nine years. Hendrix has accepted a job as executive vice president, chief marketing officer and president of RedMedia, the recently launched retail media division of Iowa-based grocer Hy-Vee.

Esmond will lead the firm’s continued evolution in the ever-evolving shopper marketing landscape. She is a longtime marketing strategist with previous positions at The Mars Agency and Mosaic. Esmond has worked with brands such as P&G, Campbell’s Soup Co., Nestlé, Walmart and Microsoft.

Esmond will report to Josh Campo, CEO of Razorfish, a marketing and tech company based in New York. Both companies are subsidiaries of French advertising and communications agency Publicis Groupe.

NEW HIRES
Banking & Finance
August Martin
Bentonville
Employer: Art and Wellness Enterprises
Title: chief financial officer
Previous employer: CFO Network
Previous title: principal

Erica Bonagurio 
Rogers
Employer: United Federal Credit Union
Title: mortgage adviser
Previous employer: Priority Bank
Previous title: mortgage loan originator

Construction
Ashley Cummings
Fayetteville
Employer: Flintco
Title: business development manager
Previous employer: TCM Enterprises
Previous title: director of business development

Nonprofit
Carlos Vicente
Fayetteville
Employer: Walton Arts Center
Title: vice president of marketing and sales
Previous employer: Grand Rapids Symphony (Mich.)
Previous title: vice president of marketing and communications

Software Development
Dirk Herdes
Rogers
Employer: Crisp
Title: senior vice president of sales; general manager
Previous employer: Tredence
Previous title: vice president

APPOINTMENTS
Patti Constantakis
Bentonville
Employer: Walmart.org
Title: director of corporate philanthropy
Appointment: commissioner
Organization: Bentonville Advertising & Promotion Commission

NEWSMAKER SUBMISSIONS
Notices of executive promotions, new hires or appointments in Northwest Arkansas or Fort Smith may be sent by email to [email protected]. Submissions may include a photo, which will be used on a space-available basis.