CEEK appoints Caroline Mercurio as Chief Operating Officer

CEEK has appointed Caroline Mercurio as Chief Operating Officer, the first person to hold the role at the independent marketing agency.

Mercurio has relocated from the US to join the London-based business as it expands after reporting 50% year-on-year growth in 2025. The agency also recently appointed Grace Flusfeder as Head of Social & Creative as it adds clients in eCommerce, property and hospitality.

Before joining CEEK, Mercurio held senior marketing and commercial operations roles in the US. At Jump 450 Media, part of Omnicom Media Group, she rose from Acquisition Manager to Head of Agency, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

There, she oversaw more than USD $20 million in monthly media investment across more than 40 global clients, including Tesla, Virgin Group, Gap, Coach and L’Oréal. She also worked on major deal expansions, grew the client base and helped win a global listed client with more than USD $6 billion in annual revenue.

Most recently, she served as Interim Chief Business Officer at a stealth startup focused on the marketing sector, where monthly recurring revenue increased 24-fold in six months before a merger.

Agency growth

The appointment comes as CEEK builds out its senior leadership team and looks to extend its international reach. Founded in 2016, the agency operates from Soho in London and works across search, social media, influencer marketing and paid media.

Mercurio’s background also includes staff retention and recruitment. At Jump 450 Media, she introduced new feedback channels, career progression frameworks and leadership development programmes, helping lift employee retention to 88% and contributing to a hiring process with a 2% acceptance rate.

The hire forms part of CEEK’s effort to strengthen its position in a marketing industry being reshaped by artificial intelligence and changing patterns of online visibility. The agency is also deepening its work around marketing visibility in an AI-driven landscape.

Executive view

Mercurio outlined her view of the move and the company’s trajectory.

“CEEK has real momentum, an exceptional team, visionary leadership and fantastic clients,” said Caroline Mercurio, Chief Operating Officer, CEEK. “From the very first conversation, Charlie and I felt immediate alignment on our vision for the company, where CEEK is and where it can go,” said Mercurio.

“They’ve achieved great things, and now my focus is on building on that strong growth. It has always been a dream of mine to relocate to London, and here we are. I look forward to the next phase, both personally and professionally,” added Mercurio.

Charlie Terry, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said Mercurio’s background aligns closely with the agency’s plans.

“Caroline has an impressive background, bringing rare and extraordinary experience in scaling agencies, building elite teams and delivering measurable growth for some of the world’s biggest brands,” said Charlie Terry, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CEEK.

“But what stood out most was the alignment on ambition, on culture and on where the industry is heading. As we continue to expand, her leadership will be instrumental in accelerating that momentum,” added Terry.