Kissel Comes Directly from 10+ Years at DDB Chicago, Most Recently as Managing Director

CHICAGO , Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Good Giant and Two by Four, two private equity-backed advertising agencies under a new leadership structure owned by Merit Capital Partners and Six Pillars Partners, proudly announce the appointment of Dave Kissel as Chief Executive Officer of the group. Kissel is the first hire for the new private equity backed ad agency holding group and comes directly from his role as Managing Director of DDB Chicago.

In his new role Kissel will enhance and complement an experienced leadership team comprised of Rich Sullivan (CEO of Good Giant) and David Stevenson (CEO of Two by Four). His appointment signals a strategic move to capitalize on the growing influence of independent agency holdings, many of which outperform larger conglomerates through agility, specialization, and focused commitment to clients' success.

"I'm thrilled to join Good Giant and Two by Four, with their stellar teams and creative legacies," said Kissel. "Drawing on my diverse experience across agencies, media, and start-ups, and inspired by pioneers like Bill Bernbach and Keith Reinhard, I'm committed to amplifying the remarkable work already underway. We are going to harness creativity, data, and digital innovation to deliver measurable results for our clients and create a powerhouse in the independent agency holding space."

In his role as Managing Director of DDB Chicago, Kissel drove strategic operations, creative excellence, and cultural initiatives for the agency, whose recent new business wins among existing and new clients have given the office significant momentum over the last year. Kissel previously served as DDB's Global Business Lead on McDonald's, where he helped advance creative effectiveness and CRM efforts. His distinguished career spans leadership roles at top agencies, media companies, and start-up ventures. He brings unparalleled expertise to lead the next great independent agency holding structure.

Good Giant, renowned for its expertise in gaming and hospitality, and Two by Four, a trailblazing creative agency with a knack for human-centered storytelling, are ideally positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive advertising landscape.

Backed by Merit Capital Partners and Six Pillars Partners, Kissel will invest in cutting-edge technology, talent development, and strategic acquisitions to scale the capabilities of the holding group. At the same time, he is dedicated to preserving what makes each agency unique: unmatched industry expertise, creative independence, and distinctive cultures. Kissel's vision centers on leveraging these strengths to craft impactful, bold campaigns that deliver results for clients.

"Dave's extensive leadership across agencies, media companies, and start-ups makes him uniquely qualified to lead Good Giant and Two by Four in building the next great independent agency holding group," said Ben Yarbrough, Managing Director at Merit Capital Partners. "His strategic vision and ability to develop high-performing teams will complement our leadership and drive transformative growth, delivering exceptional value to our clients."

This announcement arrives at a pivotal moment for the industry, as independent holding groups continue to gain momentum by offering specialized, agile solutions. Kissel's leadership will position Good Giant and Two by Four to compete with publicly held industry giants like Omnicom and WPP, as well as the new generation of independent agency networks like Dawn, Meet The People and Plus Company, while leveraging private equity resources to scale operations and pursue growth opportunities, building the next great independent agency holding.

About Good Giant
Good Giant is a leading independent advertising agency specializing in gaming, hospitality, and consumer brands. Known for bold, results-driven campaigns, Good Giant delivers innovative solutions that engage audiences and produce measurable business results.
www.goodgiant.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/goodgiant/

About Two by Four
Two by Four is a creative powerhouse celebrated for human-centered campaigns that blend strategic insight with cutting-edge creativity. The agency excels at crafting impactful stories that resonate across diverse industries.
www.Two by Four.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/2x4agency/

About Merit Capital Partners and Six Pillars Partners
Merit Capital Partners and Six Pillars Partners are private equity firms dedicated to fostering growth and innovation within their holdings. They are both excited to continue supporting Good Giant and Two by Four in redefining advertising excellence.
https://www.meritcapital.com/
https://sixpillarspartners.com/

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SOURCE Good Giant