The Chicago advertising scene has a new heavyweight move to talk about. Dave Kissel, a familiar face from his years steering DDB Chicago, has been named CEO of the newly combined Good Giant and Two by Four group — the first significant hire under the agencies’ Merit Capital Partners and Six Pillars Partners–backed structure.
Kissel isn’t a stranger to big brands or big results. As DDB Chicago’s managing director — and before that, the network’s global business lead on McDonald’s — he helped elevate the Golden Arches’ creative and CRM strategy across markets. Now, he’s bringing that experience to an independent agency holding group aiming to be, in his words, “the next great” in the space.
“Good Giant and Two by Four have stellar teams and creative legacies,” Kissel said. “We’re going to harness creativity, data, and digital innovation to deliver measurable results for our clients and build a true powerhouse.”
Good Giant, known for its work in gaming and hospitality, will pair its expertise with Two by Four’s human-centered creative approach. Kissel will lead investments in tech, talent development, and acquisitions — all while keeping each agency’s culture intact.
Ben Yarbrough, managing director at Merit Capital Partners, called Kissel “uniquely qualified” to guide the group, noting his blend of agency, media, and startup experience.
The hire comes as independents are making bigger plays in the market. Chicago-based Two by Four joins Good Giant in tapping into private equity resources at a time when networks like Serviceplan, MSQ, and Plus Company are growing their global reach — and merger rumors (like MSQ and S4 Capital) keep the holding company landscape interesting.
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