In-House Forum names new chair from Unilever

Shannon Kalkstein, Global Head of U-Studio and UniAdapt at Unilever.

Shannon brings almost 30 years of experience in creative and in-house agency leadership to the role and joined Unilever to launch U-Studio in 2017. She now oversees 21 studios globally and U-Studio has been named Campaign's Global In-House Agency of the Year three years consecutively.

Established in 2021, WFA’s In-House Forum celebrates the role that these teams are now playing in the marketing business, whether that’s around creative services or programmatic buying.

It brings together the industry’s top global in-house agency leaders and specialists to discuss issues where members feel they can benefit from peer-to-peer discussion in a Chatham House environment.

“As a global in-house agency leader, it is so valuable for me to be able to connect with true peers around the world that are facing similar challenges in this space. I’m thrilled to lead this unique global community of experts as we develop and evolve the role that in-house teams can play to deliver better marketing. The connections I’ve made and the things I’ve learned from other members has been hugely impactful in the enhancement of my role,” said Shannon.

“Shannon’s leadership, unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and her significant contributions to the advertising industry continue to set new standards for in-house teams and revolutionise the industry. We’re delighted that she’s agreed to lead our In-House Forum,” said Stephan Loerke, WFA CEO.

The next meeting of the group will focus on commercial creative in-house agency models. For more information, click here.

Other topics for future discussion include in-house teams and structures, creative production, integration/collaboration between multiple in-house studios globally, measuring performance & success and agency evaluations.

Shannon succeeds Tracy Stallard as the chair, who previously headed up AB InBev’s global in-house agency draftLine and now works for plant-based food brand owner Upfield.

For more information about the group, please contact Julia Kraft.