IW Group, one of the top multicultural marketing agencies in the industry, has announced that longtime executive Telly Wong has been promoted to Chief Creative and Innovation Officer (CCIO), where he will guide the agency’s creative direction and help shape its evolution in an increasingly tech-integrated landscape. Wong, who previously served as Chief Content Officer and SVP, will spearhead IW Group’s creative initiatives across the agency’s offices in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Dallas.
Wong will also be tasked with establishing a new creative innovation department, which will seek to leverage tech-infused campaigns, AI related initiatives and product development. The idea seems to be to put Wong and his team in a future focused position that allows IW Group to prepare for the next generation of marketing campaigns.
“Creativity and innovation are inextricably linked in this age of AI and my new role is designed to ensure both are equally salient in IW Group’s work,” Wong said in a press release. “I’m excited to help shape a new agency paradigm that leverages technology to strengthen the emotional connection between brands, fans, and communities. My priority is building brave, resonant work that’s rooted in culture and reimagined through innovation.”
Wong brings nearly two decades of experience crafting campaigns for some of the biggest brands, including McDonald’s, Warner Bros., Disney, and Jack Daniel’s. He has a particular talent for integrating technology with story-telling, having worked on campaigns with VR, blockchain and AI, and his work has been recognized by Ad Age, Adweek, the Association of National Advertisers, and PRWeek.
In 2022, when IW Group was recognized as Ad Age’s Multicultural Agency of the Year, I spoke with Wong about his work experience and vision for the future. During that conversation, Wong spoke about the importance for Asian Americans and other groups from marginalized backgrounds, to utilize marketing to share a positive images of their communities.
“I feel that in the advertising and marketing industry, we, as advertisers and marketers, and especially as Asian Americans and people of color, we have such a great opportunity to put forth progressive images of our communities and reach millions of people,” Wong said.
Even then, Wong had a vision for the future of continuing to integrate emerging technology into marketing and storytelling.
“I think nowadays, there are so many opportunities for people that produce content. And it’s not to say everything you do needs to be commercial anymore. It could be a piece of branded content that could live as a television program, or even a film or something like that. So I think there are opportunities that we want to explore with branded content that goes beyond just the usual stuff that you see,” Wong said.
In his new role as CCIO, Wong will have an even greater opportunity to impact the use of technology in a variety of ways and across numerous industries.
As Wong steps into his new role, IW Group’s entertainment division will be headed by Karen Tran Wood.
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IW Group Promotes Telly Wong to Chief Creative and Innovation Officer
Wong to lead the agency’s next chapter of culture-forward and AI-led creativity
LOS ANGELES, CA – July 30, 2025 — IW Group, an award-winning multicultural agency, has promoted Telly Wong to Chief Creative and Innovation Officer (CCIO), signaling the firm’s deepening commitment to creative excellence and future-focused cultural leadership.
Wong, who previously served as Chief Content Officer and SVP, will now oversee all creative initiatives across IW Group’s offices in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Dallas. He will also establish a new creative innovation department dedicated to tech-infused campaigns, AI-led storytelling, and new product development, which includes original content and AI-related creative ventures.
“Telly’s new role opens up bold new possibilities for IW Group and our clients,” said Nita Song, President & Chief Momentum Officer, IW Group. His ability to connect creativity with cultural relevance and emerging technology will sharpen our competitive edge and expand the ways we deliver value. This moment is about charting what’s next—bringing fresh ideas, new capabilities, and transformative solutions to help our partners thrive in a hyper-evolving landscape.”
Over his 16-year tenure with IW Group, Wong has been the driving force behind some of the agency’s most celebrated work for clients, including McDonald’s, Warner Bros., Disney, and Jack Daniel’s. His pioneering approach of merging multicultural marketing with cutting-edge technology (e.g., AI, VR, and blockchain) has delivered award-winning brand firsts, including the Golden Arches’ first AI-led campaign in the U.S. and first fully AI-produced spots. In 2010, he established the agency’s award-winning entertainment marketing practice, which consults on tentpole releases for major studios and streamers. Prior to joining IW Group, Wong was a creative consultant at Jettone Films, the production company of internationally acclaimed filmmaker Wong Kar Wai.
“Creativity and innovation are inextricably linked in this age of AI and my new role is designed to ensure both are equally salient in IW Group’s work,” said Wong. “I’m excited to help shape a new agency paradigm that leverages technology to strengthen the emotional connection between brands, fans, and communities. My priority is building brave, resonant work that’s rooted in culture and reimagined through innovation.”
Wong’s work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, including Ad Age, Adweek, the Association of National Advertisers, and PRWeek. Named an inaugural Ad Age Web3 Trailblazer and Social Shake-Up Digital Communicator of the Year in 2023, his philosophy of “innovation through culture” has helped position IW Group as a go-to agency for brands seeking to engage diverse audiences with authenticity and ambition.
About IW Group
IW Group is a full-service creative agency specializing in multicultural marketing, experiential storytelling, strategic communications, and innovation-led brand engagement. Clients include Bristol Myers Squibb, Lexus, McDonald’s, Southern California Edison, Suntory, Walmart, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. For over 35 years, the agency has served global brands by helping them navigate culture and foster connection in an increasingly diverse marketplace. For more information, visithttps://iwgroupinc.com or follow @IWGroupInc on social media.
Ron is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of POC Culture. He is a big believer in the power and impact of pop culture and the importance of representation in media.
