Adam Cunningham promoted to CEO at Allied Global Marketing, Kelly Estrella upped to COO

Adam Cunningham, left, and Kelly Estrella

US-based market analysis firm Allied Global Marketing has upped Adam Cunningham to the role of global CEO, while Kelly Estrella has been elevated to chief operating officer.

The promotions position Allied for its next phase of growth as an integrated marketing partner to brands across entertainment, gaming, sports, hospitality, tourism and location-based experiences.

Cunningham is upped from his previous position of chief strategy officer. His new role sees him succeed Clint Kendall, who now joins Allied’s board of directors.

As CEO, he will oversee Allied’s global business and lead the agency’s focus on integrated growth, operational discipline and the continued development of proprietary tools, data and applied AI.

Cunningham’s remit also includes working across strategy, creative, client partnerships and advance workflow capabilities.

Estrella has been elevated from her previous role as chief of marketing operations. As COO, she will lead global operations, with responsibility for aligning teams, strengthening delivery discipline and scaling Allied’s capabilities across markets and clients to support the agency’s growth.

Kendall joined Allied in 2001 and has served as CEO since 2009. In his new role on Allied’s board, he will support continuity during the leadership transition and work closely with Allied’s ownership group, Belmont Capital.

Kendall said: “Adam has helped shape Allied’s strategy at a pivotal moment for our industry. As marketing becomes more integrated, more data-led and more operationally complex, he brings the strategic clarity, commercial focus and modern operating discipline needed to lead Allied forward.”

Cunningham said: “Kelly is one of the most trusted and effective leaders in our business. She brings the operational discipline, cross-market credibility and clarity of execution this next chapter requires. Her leadership will be critical as we scale the business with greater consistency, speed and accountability.”