Introducing the Cheil Agency Network, comprised of five independent agencies, led by newly promoted CEO Joe Maglio

Agencies McKinney, Iris, Attention Arc, CYLNDR Studios and Barbarian form the new mid-sized network which will provide creative, media, production and tech services for brands looking to grow

NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheil North America, today announced the formation of the Cheil Agency Network (CAN), a North American based consortium bringing together five of its independently operated agency brands to offer a more nimble alternative to the traditional holding company model. The Cheil Agency Network has offices across the U.S. and Canada and includes five agencies: McKinney (creative), Iris (creative), Attention Arc (media), CYLNDR Studios (production) and Barbarian (digital & tech).

While large holding companies are set up to service only the biggest clients, and boutique agencies don't have capabilities at scale, the Cheil Agency Network offers industry-leading strategic and creative thinking, data-driven media and AI-powered production, while also providing direct access to agency executives and experienced, senior-heavy teams. This model allows each agency to retain their independent identity, ethos, culture and specialty, while also sharing certain resources, intel and R&D, which is especially crucial in the AI-age. Clients can work with one agency individually, multiple network agencies simultaneously or may be served by a bespoke best-of-the-best team made up of talent from across the network.

Joe Maglio, CEO of McKinney and Barbarian, has been promoted to CEO of the Cheil Agency Network. The leaders of each agency will report directly to him, and he will ultimately be accountable for the performance of each agency as well as bringing the right combination of each agency's specialties together to provide the best solution for clients. The Cheil Agency Network will have its own staff, but unlike traditional holding companies, the network team will be created with an "asset light" model while being staffed with accomplished subject-matter experts who provide resources and support, versus command and control. This team includes Tim Jones, chief financial officer, Sue Roche, chief people officer, Bill Mattis, managing director, head of network growth and Lisa Hughes, head of network operations.

"The Cheil Agency Network is the goldilocks of agency groups," said CEO Joe Maglio. "We're able to offer the intelligence and cross-discipline coordination of a holding company while still bringing clients the energy, flexibility and high level of attention and client service that make independent agencies shine. As the advertising industry is going through a period of tremendous structural disruption between holding company M&A and PE investments, this new network model allows us to seamlessly collaborate and deftly adapt so we're poised to deliver outsized results for brands that want to grow."

The newly created network has 10 offices, 750 employees and over 100 clients. Key clients include Little Caesars, Popeyes, Bentley, Samsung and Citizen Watch.

About Cheil Agency Network
The Cheil Agency Network (CAN) is a network of independently led agencies in North America: Attention Arc, Barbarian, CYLNDR Studios, Iris and McKinney. Capabilities include: creative, media, branding, production, social media, digital transformation and tech. The Cheil Agency Network offers the agility and energy that's often missing from traditional holding companies, but with the reach of Cheil Worldwide, the global marketing powerhouse with offices in 46 countries.

With teams and offices in the U.S. and Canada, agencies within the Cheil Agency Network partner with some of the biggest brands across North America including Little Caesars, Popeyes, Bentley, Samsung, Microsoft, Citizen Watch and many more. For more information, visit cheilagencynetwork.com

SOURCE Cheil Agency Network