CHICAGO — Zeno Group has promoted Grant Deady — who has been with the firm since its 1998 launch — to US president.

In the newly created role, Deady will be responsible for overseeing Zeno’s day-to-day operations in the US, with an emphasis on building regional capabilities, services, talent and culture.

Deady has spent the last 16 years as managing director of Zeno Chicago, which, with nearly 300 staffers, has grown into the firm’s largest office. Deady will continue to report to global CEO Barby Siegel and retain his responsibilities as chief culture officer.

In addition to client work, Deady has led several of Zeno’s pro-bono relationships including the re-branding last year of the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center and a decade-long partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“Grant’s appointment recognizes his impressive body of work over these last 25 years, at the center of many of our largest client relationships and cultural initiatives. Given the agency’s growth and broadened capabilities, the US region requires more dedicated leadership for what is now, and, importantly, what is next,” Siegel said. “It is especially meaningful for Grant to assume his new role during our 25th anniversary year, a time of reflecting on the agency’s roots — understanding the past to help inspire the path forward as a modern communications agency working in partnership with clients for real business impact.” 

Allison Aaron, who has served as Zeno Chicago’s deputy MD over the last seven years, will succeed Deady as the office’s managing director. Before assuming her deputy MD role, Aaron was the Chicago operation’s director of consumer marketing.

Zeno has also promoted deputy head of US corporate affairs Kim Metcalfe to head of the group; Chicago head of consumer brands Allison McClamroch to head of US consumer brands; executive VP Greg Tedesco to head of Zeno Digital Experience US; and Chicago director of integration Missy Maher to US head foodie.

The expansion of Zeno’s leadership team comes on the heels of a 9% rise in revenue during fiscal 2023, which ended June 30. The firm has 550 US employees.