The Martin Agency promotions continue as Mike Lear has been bumped up from VP/ACD to VP/creative director at the Richmond, VA operation. During the last year alone, Lear has served as a copywriter on the Mentos digital shorts starring that hippie character Dragee and helped the brand launch its UP2U gum line. Lear has actually been with Martin since 2004, joining initially as a senior copywriter before being promoted to ACD at the end of 2006. While at his current employer, Lear has also moonlighted as an instructor/lecturer at VCU Brandcenter.

Before Martin Agency, Lear spent two years as a senior copywriter at Crispin Porter + Bogusky and held the same title at the ikes of WestWayne (which rebranded as 22squared in 2007) during his career. Now as VP/CD, Lear will continue to primarily focus on Mentos as well as American Cancer Society efforts.