We’re thrilled to introduce a new addition to the c-suite! Arc’s very own Ellen Manson and Richard Nino have been appointed as the agency’s new co-CFOs – meaning, “Chief Fun Officers.”
As agencies navigate RTO plans and pave the way for future hybrid models, this dynamic duo is tasked with infusing fun into the agency’s culture—a difficult feat in the age of remote working.
Together, Ellen and Richard bring equal parts creative spirit and business leadership to the table. The duo will lead Arc Culture Club, an internal committee dedicated to bringing employees together through year-round events, celebrations and surprises.
Now—onto the good stuff. Let’s learn more about the dynamic duo.
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Let’s kick this off! Will you tell us a bit about yourselves?
EM: My name is Ellen Manson, I’m an Art Director on the Diageo team and I live in Nashville, TN. I’ve been with the company since I was an intern at Epsilon in Southfield, MI. I then moved down here in November of 2016 and absolutely love it. In my free time, I coach club lacrosse at Vanderbilt. I also love to hike and backpack in the Smokey Mountains!
RN: Hey, I'm Richard! I'm a Senior Account Executive on the Unilever team based in New York City. I'm originally from a small town in Texas called Clarendon—don't worry if you've never heard of it, most people haven't. I've been with Arc since May of 2021 and have absolutely fallen in love with this agency and the people who work here.
So. What exactly is a “CFO” and its role at Arc?
EM: It’s our job to connect everyone at the agency on a personal level in a way that doesn’t revolve around our day-to-day work and brings us together.
RN: Our main priority is to bring the agency closer together with events, planning and cross-team communication on a semi-regular basis. Working remotely, I think a lot of us are feeling siloed in our teams.
Two heads are better than one, especially when you’re planning fun. What are you most excited about to work side-by-side as co-CFOs? Who oversees what?
EM: I’m excited to work with Richard who is new to me and lives in a different city. With one of us in the creative department, and the other in business leadership, I think it’s going to be great to combine our perspectives and past experiences. I’m fully remote in Nashville, and Richard is new to Arc as of this year, so I think we have perspectives that are going to benefit our agency culture very well.
RN: I’m very excited to work with Ellen! We clicked immediately and started throwing around ideas. We’re both from different disciplines across the agency and on different teams, which gives us the opportunity to program in a way that hasn’t been done before.
What is your vision for instilling culture at Arc—both virtually and IRL?
EM: We want to give equal focus on our virtual and in-person culture. I’ve taken a few classes from Deirdra Donahue (Leo Burnett’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and always walked away feeling like I was connected to our company much more; I think she’s a great example of instilling and sustaining culture at our company.
RN: I want to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome when they join the Arc family. Whether you’re LGBTQIA+, Latinx, Asian, Black, Disabled, it all comes down to our openness and willingness to embrace each other with open arms. I want to ensure we have events that celebrate these connections.
Alright, putting you two in the hot seat for a rapid-fire round. 3, 2, 1…go!
Last song you jammed out to?
EM: “Sorry Not Sorry” by Demi Lovato.
RN: “Shelter” by Porter Robinson.
What movie could you watch over and over and never get sick of it?
EM: The Breakfast Club.
RN: The Lion King.
If you could transport anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
EM: Florence, Italy. That’s where I learned film photography”
RN: “Malta. It’s been on my bucket list to travel there.”
What’s your astrological sign?
EM: Pisces ♓️
RN: Taurus ♉️
Build your perfect meal.
EM: If cheese is involved it’s always a perfect meal.
RN: Anything with noodles. Or Mexican food.
What’s sitting in your online shopping cart at the moment?
EM: A TV stand. I’m in the middle of moving in on my own for the first time in my life. Wish me luck!
RN: A bed and a wardrobe! Currently redoing my room in my shoebox of an apartment in Chinatown.
Finally, describe the agency’s culture in one sentence.
EM: A passionate group of people with a determination to grow together.
RN: A wonderfully diverse agency that’s fun and evolving with lots of room to grow!
