Founders Rejects Holding Companies Downsizing, Appointing Maru Sokolowski to Protect the ‘Soul’ of Independent Creative

As global holding companies continue a cycle of consolidation and downsizing, Founders Agency, indie shop founded by Tanya De Poli & Checha Agost Carreño in 2019, is doubling down on the power of independent talent. Today, the minority-owned “phenomenon” announced the appointment of Maru Sokolowski—former Global Head of Creative Excellence at McCann Worldgroup—as Chief Operating Officer. Tasked with overseeing operations across seven global offices, Sokolowski’s move signals a strategic shift in the industry: a “network detox” that prioritizes the soul of the creative product over corporate restructuring.

Sokolowski joins the minority-owned independent agency following a distinguished tenure at McCann Worldgroup, where she served as Global Head of Creative Excellence & Creative Operations. At McCann, she was instrumental in bridging global networks to deliver world-class work, including culturally defining campaigns like Mastercard’s “Abracadabra: From Fan to Featured.” Her career also includes leadership roles at Grey Group, Ogilvy, and The Community, as well as a seat on the Clio Awards Advisory Board.

The appointment comes at a time of significant momentum for Founders. In the last year, the agency has expanded its portfolio with high-impact work for global brands like Spotify, Netflix, and the merchandise launch for WE LOVE NYC, while garnering international acclaim for advocacy projects like the “30 Under 30” magazine with Change The Ref.

“Since Checha and I founded this indie shop in 2019, our mission has always been to provide a ‘network detox’ for brands, but today that mission feels more urgent than ever. It’s sad to see the big networks leading the charge of eroding our industry’s creative soul, but Maru joining us from the top of a global giant like McCann proves the tide is shifting. We aren’t just surviving the current industry climate; we are thriving by investing in the one thing the big players seem to be losing: the restless passion of our people.” said Tanya De Poli, CEO & Co-Founder of Founders Agency.

As COO, Sokolowski will be responsible for the agency’s most vital resource: its people and their talent. This leadership addition reinforces Founders’ commitment to a structure where operations exist to empower the creative product.

“Joining Founders as COO is both a tremendous joy and a great responsibility,” shared Maru Sokolowski. “I deeply believe in the project’s vision, in the caliber of its clients, and in the creative talent that drives it forward. I am honored by the trust Checha and Tanya have placed in me to support this new phase of growth, strengthening our structure while preserving the creative essence and the indie spirit that define Founders.”

“While the big networks are busy destroying creative teams to save their margins, we are hiring the best in the business to protect ours. Maru understands that in our ‘network detox’ model, operations exist for one reason only: to empower the work. She is the ‘Enabler of Creativity’ who ensures that we scale while

our soul remains intact. We are proving that you don’t need a holding company to do world-class work; you just need a structure that actually respects the craft and the people behind it.” said Checha Agost Carreño, CCO & Co-Founder of Founders Agency.

Sokolowski will be based out of the Miami office, working closely with founders Tanya De Poli and Checha Agost Carreño to drive the agency’s strategic vision forward