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Sep. 1, 2026 Source: Woodruff news release
Kington joined Woodruff in 2002 and has played a pivotal role in advancing Woodruff's strategic planning and brand development services, strengthening client relationships and driving new and organic business growth for ambitious challenger brands. He assumed the role of president and CSO in 2020 and has served on the board of directors for six years. "I am so grateful to have worked alongside Scott for the past 24 years at Woodruff. He has made such an impact on our clients' business, our people and the organization as a whole. I wish him the very best during his retirement," says Thompson. "Jenny and I have been working closely together in preparation for this transition, and we are both ready and energized to tackle this next chapter." Jones joined Woodruff in 2018 after senior agency roles at VML and Meers, bringing 16 years of marketing experience leading digital initiatives for major national and global brands. For the past four years, she has served on Woodruff's vision team and executive team, helping shape the agency's long-term strategic roadmap. Jones combines strategic vision with a steady hand, deeply understanding both Woodruff's industry and its people. Her leadership is centered on a collective "we" mindset that drives success through transparency, empowerment and a shared commitment to excellence. 20 Under 40 Recognition The transition coincides with Jones being named to the 2026 class of "20 Under 40" by the COMO Business Times. This honor goes to 20 professionals under the age of 40 who are making a significant impact through leadership, career achievement and community involvement. "This recognition means a lot, but I have to thank the people who invested in me along the way. I've had mentors and bosses who saw potential in me before I saw it in myself, gave me opportunities to grow and pushed me to think bigger," says Jones. "What makes this award meaningful is what it actually recognizes, not just professional achievement but how you show up in your work, your life and your community. I've tried to be intentional about that balance." Evolving for the Future Woodruff's leadership team delivers the firepower of a global agency with the agility of a close partner. The leadership team structure provides a multidisciplinary, "all-in" mentality that ensures every employee-owner is personally invested in helping ambitious challenger brands outthink and outperform the competition. While rooted in Woodruff's rich history and depth in industries like pet, animal health and tourism, members of the leadership team have diverse, high-caliber backgrounds, including experience at leading global agencies and major markets. Woodruff is evolving its organizational structure to best position clients for continued growth and future success. This includes hiring a vice president to head the new technology and AI core strength. This dynamic leader will be responsible for advancing how technology, with an emphasis on AI, enhances both client outcomes and agency operations. Woodruff's organizational structure is designed around the foundational pillars of a successful business, ensuring that strong competencies are maintained in areas that clients currently demand and will need to grow in the future. Woodruff's core strengths allow it to address the challenges faced by modern clients, acknowledging that Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and marketing executives are responsible for achieving sales goals, demonstrating measurable business impact and implementing effective digital strategies. "We know exactly who we do our best work for: ambitious, challenger brands. That focus isn't changing. What is changing is the world around us," says Jones. "The CMO role is evolving; AI is reshaping how our industry works and staying competitive means we have to keep trying new things. My priority is building on the capabilities that got us here while making sure we're pushing forward and not standing still." About Woodruff Founded in 1992 and 100 percent employee-owned since 2017, Woodruff is a full-service marketing and brand transformation agency built for ambitious challenger brands. Powered by a team of 50+ employeeowners, Woodruff integrates business insights, brand strategy, digital experience, technology and public relations across key verticals including pet, animal health, tourism and financial services. Headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, with an office in Kansas City and team members across ten states, Woodruff helps clients confront market disruption and realize measurable growth. For more information, visit www.wearewoodruff.com. Tweet |
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