has joined Spong as the agency’s first group creative director and partner. He will be based in the agency’s Minneapolis headquarters.
Clay joins Spong following more than 25 years with its sister advertising agency, Carmichael Lynch, where he most recently served as a group creative director. At Carmichael Lynch, Clay produced award-winning work for some of the agency’s most notable clients including Subaru, Harley-Davidson and Trane, and is known for his expertise in highly emotive creative.
At Spong, Clay will oversee the agency’s team of creative professionals and freelancers on writing, design, content development, PR strategy and messaging. Clay will also serve as an important bridge between Spong and Carmichael Lynch as the agencies continue to increase their collaboration to provide clients with a full suite of advertising and public relations services.
Clay is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, earning both his bachelor’s degree in advertising and master’s degree in mass communication and media studies during his time at the university.
“While having design, writing and other creative resources is nothing new to Spong, having the creative leadership of Sheldon’s caliber is a first,” said Doug Spong, president and founder of Spong. “Sheldon is a great writer by background and a leader of great work. Clients gravitate to his sincere style, innate sense of strategy and his storytelling ability to bring an idea to life in both traditional and nontraditional ways.”