The Bloc announced Thursday morning Margaret Haskell has returned to the agency as SVP and director of strategic planning.
During the eight years she spent at The Bloc, a 2023 MM+M Agency 100 honoree, at the start of her career. There, Haskell served as senior account planner as well as VP and strategic planning director. She then spent six years at the BGB Group, another 2023 MM+M Agency 100 honoree, as VP of brand strategy and ultimately as SVP of brand strategy.
Returning to The Bloc “feels like coming full circle… at such a pivotal time,” Haskell said in a statement.
“I have long admired the spirit of The Bloc and its leadership team, committed to pushing the boundaries and delivering cutting-edge work for clients in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape,” she said. “The opportunities are immense, and I am excited to contribute to the agency’s continued growth and success.”
In this role, Haskell will lead The Bloc’s New York office of brand strategists and help define the agency’s strategic goals and growth opportunities.
“Margaret possesses deep knowledge and an impressive track record delivering insight-driven strategy and perspective,” Jennifer Matthews, president and CEO of The Bloc, said in a statement. “She takes a curious and compassionate approach to driving behavioral change, and her presence will undoubtedly infuse The Bloc with fresh thinking and strategic brand management. We’re thrilled to welcome her back home.”
Haskell’s hire comes after The Bloc experienced a 2022 marked by some setbacks. Revenue dropped 26% from $56.7 million in 2021 to $42.2 million in 2022, according to the MM+M Agency 100 2023 revenue chart. Additionally, total staff size also decreased from 200 to 182, and the agency lost 10 clients.
Still, new leadership hires last year were essential to getting back on track, Matthews told MM+M.
In April 2022, The Bloc hired former H4B Chelsea president and chief creative officer Christian Bauman, as part of its efforts to revamp its creative process. In late 2022, the agency also brought on Greg Ylagan as creative director of art to oversee its team of art directors and help grow “a culture of artistic inventiveness.” Ylagan also joined the agency from H4B Chelsea.
In addition to Bauman and Ylagan, The Bloc also brought on former Bristol Myers Squibb executive director of worldwide engagement and channel planning Jay Appel, to serve as its first chief digital officer. Appel was hired to “[fuel] growth, which plays into his experience leading digital transformation and omnichannel strategies,” Matthew said.
