INVNT names James Nicholas Kinney as first global chief AI officer, eyes APAC focus – marketech apac
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Singapore — INVNT, an integrated brand storytelling agency, has named James Nicholas Kinney as its first global chief AI officer, creating a new senior leadership role focused on integrating artificial intelligence across the agency’s global operations, with a particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region.
The agency said the position is intended to support the development of client-facing AI solutions, expand its internal AI ecosystem, and strengthen its data, insights, and technology infrastructure.
The role spans all departments, including strategy, creative, production, and operations, as INVNT increases its use of AI in experience design and brand engagement.
Kinney joins INVNT with a background that combines organisational leadership and AI-focused training. He holds AI certifications from MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Wharton, including a programme led by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. His previous roles include senior positions at Monks, part of S4Capital, and Ogilvy, as well as leadership experience at Giant Spoon and Mother.
Scott Cullather, chairman and chief growth officer at INVNT, said, “Business transformation happens when you connect the dots across industries, technologies, and the experience ecosystem. INVNT has always been at the forefront of innovation-led brandstory™. Adding a Global Chief AI Officer to our leadership team marks the next step in that evolution for our clients, our agency and the industry at large.”
Scott continued, “James is uniquely qualified for this role, one of the foremost minds in AI-enabled organisational design with a rare blend of HR leadership, agency experience, and advanced AI training. He understands how humans and machines can coexist to drive meaningful progress, from operational maximalism to predictive analytics and client-forward solutions. His leadership will accelerate INVNT’s future as the best-in-class experience agency enhanced by AI.”
Over the past 17 years, INVNT has worked with global brands on projects combining technology and experiential marketing. These have included collaborations with Microsoft, Oracle, SHRM, Xero, ABB, and Lamborghini, as well as the development of proprietary AI-powered and extended reality platforms.
In his new role, Kinney will lead AI-driven client innovation, support brands in scaling campaigns and experiences using machine learning, and identify new business opportunities linked to AI-enabled transformation. He will report directly to Cullather.
Laura Roberts, managing director APAC at INVNT, also commented, “APAC continues to be one of our fastest growing regions for innovation-led work. Expanding our AI capabilities is a natural next step as we scale experiences across AI, XR, and other emerging technologies, while staying closely aligned with our global teams.”
Laura added, “This move gives our clients in the region access to deeper intelligence, better tools, and more connected ways of working, helping them turn ambition into real-world impact.”
Commenting on his appointment, Kinney said, “INVNT is an innovation-led brand story agency full of high performers. We dream big and build boldly. My role is to bring AI into that ethos, to create greater impact for our clients and drive operational acceleration for our employees around the world. We will enable global cultural alignment with clear language, shared understanding, and unified execution.”
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