Velir x Brooklyn Data Taps Ed Flynn for AI-Driven Creative Era

BOSTON, Dec. 16, 2025 – In a significant move to reshape the intersection of data, creativity, and artificial intelligence, the integrated agency Velir x Brooklyn Data has appointed Ed Flynn as its first Chief Creative and Innovation Officer. The creation of this new executive role signals a deliberate strategy to fuse the art of brand building with the science of unified data, positioning the firm to lead in an industry rapidly being redefined by AI.

Flynn, a veteran with over two decades of experience leading design and innovation teams at global agencies, is tasked with a formidable mandate: to steer the company’s vision for AI-powered experience design, data storytelling, and creative technology. His appointment is the latest and most prominent step in a strategic evolution that began with Velir’s acquisition of Brooklyn Data Co. in March 2023, a move that first brought deep data consultancy into the fold of a digital experience agency.

A Strategic Union of Data and Design

The foundation for today's announcement was laid nearly two years ago when Velir, known for its expertise in designing and engineering complex digital experiences on platforms like Sitecore and Adobe, acquired the full-stack data and analytics consultancy Brooklyn Data Co. This wasn't merely a talent acquisition; it was a structural integration designed to create a new breed of agency. Brooklyn Data, now operating as a specialized data studio within Velir, brought elite-level proficiency in the modern data stack, including technologies like Snowflake and dbt.

That acquisition installed Brooklyn Data’s founder, Scott Breitenother, as Velir’s first Chief Data Officer, embedding a data-first mindset at the executive level. The goal was to move beyond surface-level analytics and help clients—ranging from financial institutions and healthcare systems like Rochester Regional Health to cultural icons like The Metropolitan Museum of Art—unify and activate their vast data troves. The combined entity promised to connect backend data architecture directly to frontend user experience, enabling personalization and engagement at an unprecedented scale.

Flynn’s appointment as CCIO is the other side of that coin. Where the first phase of the integration focused on building the data engine, Flynn’s role is to design the sophisticated, high-performance vehicle it will power. His leadership is expected to bridge the gap between raw data and resonant human experience, ensuring that the insights gleaned from analytics are translated into compelling brand narratives and intuitive digital interactions.

The New Mandate: AI, Creativity, and Empathy

Flynn joins Velir x Brooklyn Data from Rightpoint, where he served as VP and Head of Global Design. His portfolio includes enterprise-scale digital transformations and multi-channel campaigns for major brands such as Asics, Subway Restaurants, and iRobot. This background in shaping integrated experience practices is central to his new mission.

"Velir x Brooklyn Data is entering a moment where strategy, creativity, and unified data must operate as one," said Wendy Karlyn, the company's CEO, in a statement. "Ed's leadership brings clarity and momentum to that vision. His ability to connect design with data, technology, and emerging AI capabilities will help us accelerate how we transform experiences and data into action for our clients."

This focus on AI is not just a nod to industry trends; it's a core pillar of the agency's future. Industry analysts at Gartner have noted that generative AI is creating vast opportunities for original content and improved customer engagement, with forward-thinking marketing organizations leading the charge. The appointment of a CCIO explicitly focused on AI-driven design places Velir x Brooklyn Data squarely among these early adopters, competing with major players like Deloitte Digital, which has championed a “humans + machines” approach to augment creative workflows.

Flynn himself frames the challenge as one of emotional connection in a data-saturated world. "Clients need experiences that break through, that are grounded in data, powered by technology, and brought to life with creativity that actually moves people," he stated. His vision centers on turning unified data into "stories with emotion and empathy," a crucial differentiator in an era where AI could otherwise lead to homogenous, algorithm-driven design. This human-centric philosophy aims to create digital products that are not just effective, but unforgettable.

Navigating a New Competitive Landscape

The creation of the Chief Creative and Innovation Officer role is a strategic gambit in the highly competitive digital consulting space. As technology democratizes data analytics and AI tools, the new battleground for agencies is the seamless integration of these capabilities. Simply offering siloed services for data, design, and technology is no longer enough. The market now demands a holistic partner that can orchestrate all three into a cohesive strategy that drives measurable business outcomes.

By establishing executive leadership for both data (CDO) and creative innovation (CCIO), Velir x Brooklyn Data is building an organizational structure designed to deliver on this promise. This dual leadership model is intended to foster a culture where data scientists and creative directors collaborate from the inception of a project, rather than in a linear handoff. The intent is to build experiences that are predictive and adaptive, using data not just to report on past performance but to anticipate user needs and shape future interactions.

This integrated approach positions the firm to tackle complex client challenges that require both technical rigor and creative ingenuity. For a healthcare client, this might mean creating a personalized patient journey that adapts based on real-time health data. For a retail brand, it could involve an immersive campaign powered by generative AI that delivers unique content to every user. Flynn's appointment underscores the company's commitment to delivering these sophisticated, next-generation solutions as it heads into 2026, signaling a deeper focus on building experiences that are more connected and capable of delivering demonstrable impact at every touchpoint.