Reshuffle at Bruin-owned Engine Shop as Handy becomes chief executive

Engine Shop, the US marketing agency owned by international media, sports, marketing and lifestyle investment firm Bruin Sports Capital, has moved Chris Handy from chief operating officer (and president) to chief executive. 

Handy, who joined Engine Shop in 2010, has over 20 years’ experience in the sports, business and entertainment sectors. 

The agency was acquired by Bruin in November 2015, and since then has brought several smaller consultancies into its stable. 

Engine Shop’s previous chief executive was Brian Gordon, who left his post as part of the same reshuffle. 

Before joining Engine Shop, Handy was a partner at MMG, a Miami-based marketing agency, and he has also previously spent time as senior counsel at the United States Tennis Association. 

The new chief executive “intends to further transform the agency under his leadership with a people-centric approach to meet the changing needs of brands and consumers”, Bruin announced. 

Handy said: “Humanity will be heightened in this agency's approach in 2021 and beyond.. This is a necessary time to get back to the days when ‘impressions’ meant not how many people saw you, but the thoughts and feelings you created for them.”

George Pyne, Bruin’s founder and chief executive, added: "Chris has been ahead of the curve on the fundamental shifts to the strategies and tactics that marketers can leverage to create genuine, measurable value for their brands and businesses. We are excited about his plans for the agency, and he will have the full support of Bruin’s global resources to realise that vision.”