The Charles Group today announced the appointment of industry titan John Dunleavy as Global Managing Director, bringing a distinguished track record in global client leadership, account management, and creative impact to the rapidly growing, founder-led agency.

As an independent agency built to integrate creative, media, and data with specialized, cross-functional teams, TCG is expanding its operating model. Dunleavy will lead the next phase of growth with a mandate to:

Scale The Charles Group’s “Elastic Capacity” service offering to deliver enterprise-grade speed and flexibility.

Formalize client leadership through a new global account structure that raises standards for governance, stewardship, and performance.

Unite capabilities across the agency’s AI, creativity, media, and technology divisions.

“The Charles Group is building something categorically different from the holding companies I’ve worked in,” said John Dunleavy, Global Managing Director, The Charles Group. “Clients want the best of both worlds: integrated scale and craft, with the agility and entrepreneurial culture of a modern independent. This is a model designed for the next decade, not the last—and I’m excited to help lead that transformation.”

“Let’s be candid: the agency landscape is chaotic. Consolidation is dismantling legacy networks, and strong independents are cashing out or closing down,” said Aaron Edwards, CEO of The Charles Group. “With John’s appointment, we’re doubling down on automation, AI, and global leadership combined with the creativity and speed of a founder-led studio without the bloat. It’s a model built to outperform in today’s market: culturally fluent, operationally disciplined, and relentlessly accountable to outcomes.”

The announcement comes at a time of strong momentum for The Charles Group, a five-time Inc. 5000 honoree with offices in New York and Chicago and a forthcoming larger expansion into London.