Atlanta, GA (June 8, 2026)—Trade School has tapped accomplished creative Justin Bilicki as the agency’s new Chief Creative Officer. The move reflects the agency’s continued expansion into full-service creative solutions as the creative hub of Chalkboard Ventures, as well as the transition of sister agency 22squared to a full-service media agency. Bilicki’s appointment comes as Trade School has added several new accounts to its roster.
“We are so proud to announce Justin in this role, at a significant moment in our agency’s creative momentum,” says Genna Franconi, who founded Trade School in 2020 and is now the CEO of both Trade School and 22squared under Chalkboard Ventures. “Justin is a rare breed. He’s a creatively fierce and decorated leader, but guides the work and his teams with humility and intuition. He is the right leader to help us accomplish our mission of creating work that truly takes hold.”
Most recently EVP, Executive Creative Director at Doner, Bilicki brings more than two decades of creative leadership experience, having held senior roles at BBDO, Grey, MullenLowe, and
Anomaly. He has led award-winning work for some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Snickers, Twix, Reese’s, Subway, FedEx, Ally, Saucony, Tylenol, Schick, fairlife and
many others.
At Trade School, Bilicki will lead the agency’s creative and production departments of nearly 40 team members that produce work for clients such as The Home Depot, Baskin-Robbins, and others.
“Trade School brings together an exceptional mix of people, process, and product. It’s a winning combination, and I’m thrilled to help lead the agency’s creative future,” says Bilicki. “What
makes this moment especially exciting is the opportunity, as an independent agency, to move with true focus and speed, more like a speedboat than an aircraft carrier. That agility creates a
culture that is excited by change and enables us to put forward the best creative work for clients that drives real business results.”
