BarkleyOKRP Names Christine Gratton Executive Creative Director

​BarkleyOKRP, one of the largest independent ad agencies in the US, has appointed Christine Gratton as executive creative director, spearheading the growth of its creative offering and presence in New York. Christine, who joined the agency on Nov. 3, will partner closely with chief creative officer Brad Jones, who also joined the agency in November.

In her role, Christine will lead creative for the Planet Fitness account, leading a team of eight creatives. Beyond her client responsibilities, she will help shape the continued growth of BarkleyOKRP’s New York presence and contribute to the agency’s broader integrated creative vision.

“Christine is everything you want in a modern creative leader and more,” said Brad. “Her work has shaped culture, moved business, and pushed brands into new spaces. She’s what others lovingly call a ‘ferocious golden retriever’ – relentlessly optimistic, fiercely dedicated, and committed to making the work better. Her arrival marks an exciting next chapter for our New York office as we begin building out our creative team in a meaningful way.”

Christine joins BarkleyOKRP from SPCSHP, where she served as executive creative director and helped lead work for brands including Starbucks, Samsung, Converse, Etsy, and the International Rescue Committee. Known for blending cultural acuity with modern craft, her campaign portfolio spans social-first innovation, earned-first storytelling, and global brand building.

Her work includes helping Starbucks celebrate its 50th anniversary through a three-part global campaign; partnering Starbucks and Bill Nye to launch Nitro Cold Brew, driving a 6% lift in cold coffee sales; creating the IRC’s most successful refugee relief campaign in its nearly 100-year history (recognised with Webby Gold, People’s Voice, The Drum’s Best Integrated Campaign and more); and reintroducing Converse’s Chuck Taylors to a new generation through a dark-social GIF series starring Millie Bobby Brown. Christine was named to Adweek’s Creative 100 in 2018.

A proud New Yorker based in Bed-Stuy and mom to her son Augie, Christine said the decision to join BarkleyOKRP was guided by two priorities: integration and independence.

“In my search for what’s next, I knew I wanted a place where creative and media work side by side because that’s the only way to make anything that’s worth a damn,” said Christine. “BarkleyOKRP has the independence of a creative shop, the scale of a modern network, and female leadership that’s building something bold, refreshing, and future-facing. I’m thrilled to help shape what’s next, especially in NYC.”