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Advertising industry veteran Alison Clark has joined Marcus Thomas as chief client officer. She takes over the role from Mark Bachmann, one of the agency’s partners who led client relationships and helped build the agency over the past 30 years.

Bachmann, who remains an agency owner, will continue to provide senior counsel to the agency.

“I could not think of a more accomplished integrated marketer to handle our clients and C-suite relationships,” said Bachmann in a statement. “Alison, a collaborator to her core, believes in leading with cultivated insights and creativity to help brands thrive within culture. I can’t wait to watch her help craft the next chapter of our legacy agency.”

Clark reports directly to CEO Nancy Hill and leads a team of 35 client managers who are in charge of accounts including Dexcom, Ohio Lottery, Stanley Black and Decker and Festival Foods.

Clark spent the bulk of her career in the retail and entertainment industries, working with brands including Nintendo, McDonald’s, KFC, Old Navy, PlayStation, GM and Nabisco.

Most recently vp, group director, head of client services at CBX in Minneapolis, where she is based, Clark started her career at JWT Chicago in 1998 before moving to DDB Chicago as an account supervisor. The cross-channel marketing expert spent three years at Deutsch LA before moving to FCB Chicago in 2009 as vp, management director. Clark also held positions at Leo Burnett and Colle McVoy.

Adweek covered the announcement and provides some additional commentary on Clark's ambitions for the agency's future.