Freeman Names IPG Veteran Leikikh to Lead Agency Brands
Event summary
- Freeman created a new President role for its agency brands, appointing Alex Leikikh effective September 14, 2026.
- Leikikh reports directly to CEO Janet Dell and oversees 3D Exhibits, Alford Media, BaAM Productions, Freeman AV Production, Sparks, and Studio Blue.
- Leikikh joins from Interpublic Group (IPG), where he was Global Chairman and CEO of MullenLowe Group.
- The role aims to align Freeman’s agency brands to better serve clients with evolving, multi-brand needs.
The big picture
Freeman’s appointment reflects a broader industry shift toward consolidating agency services under unified leadership to streamline client interactions. Leikikh’s background at IPG suggests Freeman is prioritizing scale and coordination, mirroring trends in the advertising and events sectors where complexity demands centralized governance. The move positions Freeman to compete more effectively in a market increasingly valuing seamless, multi-service solutions.
What we're watching
- Integration Challenges
- How Leikikh will balance Freeman’s brand identities while driving cross-brand collaboration.
- Client Retention
- Whether Freeman can sustain its growth by meeting evolving client needs across multiple brands.
- Industry Trends
- The pace at which live experience providers adopt similar structural changes to compete.