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About Us

Quality without compromise

We were founded with the belief that the future of advertising deserves better.

The workforce deserves a better agency experience. The clients deserve better work. And it was time for the advertising industry to get its own refresh.

Quality without compromise

We were founded with the belief that the future of advertising deserves better.

The workforce deserves a better agency experience. The clients deserve better work. And it was time for the advertising industry to get its own refresh.

On a mission to be your MVP

We’re on a mission to be your most valued partner (MVP). Fundamental to our approach as an agency is our belief that being an MVP to our people means they will be an MVP to our partners.

We’ve learned by adding value to our people and our partners, any way we can, is a simple recipe that can only improve everyone’s experience – and if we can help you look good in the process, then we’ve succeeded.

On a mission to be your MVP

We’re on a mission to be your most valued partner (MVP). Fundamental to our approach as an agency is our belief that being an MVP to our people means they will be an MVP to our partners.

We’ve learned by adding value to our people and our partners, any way we can, is a simple recipe that can only improve everyone’s experience – and if we can help you look good in the process, then we’ve succeeded.

Our Values

1% Better

Attitude is Everything

Get Stuff Done

Find Your Balance

1% Better

Attitude is Everything

Get Stuff Done

Find Your Balance

1% Better

Attitude is Everything

Get Stuff Done

Find Your Balance

Fast Facts

01 Fully Independent

02 Headquartered in Dallas, TX

03 Agency and brand direct service provider

04 90% of business has been referred

05 90% of employees would recommend Arm Candy as a great place to work

Management

John Lods

Founder & CEO

Andy Von Kennel

President & Partner

Marian Leonard

Managing Director

Alysia Ehle

VP, Strategy & Product

Carla Benitez

Human Resources Manager

Andrea Wilson

VP, Media Management

Carla Benitez

Human Resources Manager

Andrea Wilson

VP, Media Management

Let’s make magic happen.

Say Hello

John Lods

Founder & CEO

After being exposed to Mad Men, John decided he would pivot from following his family into a career in healthcare to one in advertising. After stints at various agencies, he realized the advertising industry left a lot to be desired, so he ventured out and created a media intelligence agency in Dallas focused on creating a rewarding agency environment. John succeeded and has been recognized for his achievements in building a strong workplace, fostering entrepreneurship and his ability in sales. To this day, his family still has no idea what he does.

Andy Von Kennel

President & Partner

Andy recently joined Arm Candy as President and Partner. Prior to joining, Andy spent 15 years working for prestigious agencies including Initiative, IPG Mediabrands, RAPP and PHD. Andy received his MBA from Southern Methodist University with concentrations in marketing and financial consulting. He received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Kenyon College. Andy also graduated from the Omnicom University SMP (Senior Management Program).

Most people don’t know that Von Kennel loves to coach youth sports. He passionately believes in the power of sports to teach life lessons.

Marian Leonard

Managing Director

Marian has spent the last 25 years in the advertising industry. In her previous roles, she was the COO for Square One Advertising and on the executive team at Ansira. She helps agencies drive sustainable growth strategies and develop an immersive agency culture. She has helped companies achieve Inc. 5000 and Ad Age Best Places to Work status and has been featured in numerous media outlets such as ABC, Adweek and Forbes. Marian firmly believes that people are the heart of the agency.

When she is not wrangling cats at Arm Candy, she loves spending time with her daughter, husband and two rescue dogs.

Alysia Ehle

VP, Media Management

Alysia comes with a unique background in both media and data. With a PhD in Chemistry, she puts data-driven media solutions at the forefront of all strategic decisions — crafting media plans, data visualizations and strategies that are intended to drive a desired outcome. She has fine-tuned her media expertise running multimillion dollar campaigns across all digital and traditional channels for brands like Kendra Scott, Sam’s Club, Goodyear and Fairway Independent Mortgage.

When she’s not developing strategies or working in Excel, she’s either writing, parenting or on the Peloton.

Carla Benitez

HR & Finance Manager

Carla is a dynamic HR professional with proven success implementing positive changes in the workplace. She holds a B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin where she served on the Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Board. She recently graduated with her MBA from Southern Methodist University where she was the Treasurer for her cohort. She is also a certified yoga instructor. When she’s not working, she likes to binge true crime podcasts, paint, and make fresh juice.

Andrea Wilson

VP Media Management

Andrea "Dre" Wilson has more than 23 years of Agency experience in building brands and delivering business results. With a focus in client service specific to media strategy, planning and execution, she is passionate about digging into the data finding the "why" and "what next" for her clients. Her omni-channel experience from awareness to performance media includes multiple verticals like CPG, Restaurant, Retail, Security, Travel, Health/Fitness, Entertainment, Healthcare, Education and Automotive. She is a proud recipient of the prestigious AAF Dallas Shining Star Award (2020), honoring the top 20 Women in Advertising in Dallas. But above all, she is passionate about mentoring, empowering and championing the Media Management team at Arm Candy.

Outside of work, Dre enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 rescue dogs, watching lots of sports and frequenting local restaurants. She is also actively involved in community theatre where she can be seen on the stage singing, dancing and acting.

Carla Benitez

HR & Finance Manager

Carla is a dynamic HR professional with proven success implementing positive changes in the workplace. She holds a B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin where she served on the Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Board. She recently graduated with her MBA from Southern Methodist University where she was the Treasurer for her cohort. She is also a certified yoga instructor. When she’s not working, she likes to binge true crime podcasts, paint, and make fresh juice.

Andrea Wilson

VP Media Management

Andrea "Dre" Wilson has more than 23 years of Agency experience in building brands and delivering business results. With a focus in client service specific to media strategy, planning and execution, she is passionate about digging into the data finding the "why" and "what next" for her clients. Her omni-channel experience from awareness to performance media includes multiple verticals like CPG, Restaurant, Retail, Security, Travel, Health/Fitness, Entertainment, Healthcare, Education and Automotive. She is a proud recipient of the prestigious AAF Dallas Shining Star Award (2020), honoring the top 20 Women in Advertising in Dallas. But above all, she is passionate about mentoring, empowering and championing the Media Management team at Arm Candy.

Outside of work, Dre enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 rescue dogs, watching lots of sports and frequenting local restaurants. She is also actively involved in community theatre where she can be seen on the stage singing, dancing and acting.