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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.

We’re hardcoded to be your most valuable partner (MVP)

We believe a better experience for our people creates a better experience for our clients. That principle shapes how we build teams, create value and approach every relationship.

By helping our people thrive, our clients benefit from stronger collaboration, greater accountability and higher-quality work. Because when the agency experience improves, better business performance tends to follow.

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

01 100% independently owned

02 Headquartered in Dallas, TX

03100% client recommendation rate, 3 years running

04100% client retention in 2025

05 97% of employees say Arm Candy is a positive work environment

Leadership

John Lods

CEO & Founder

Andy Von Kennel

President & Partner

Marian Leonard

Managing Director

alyssa headshot cropped

Alysia Ehle

Vice President, Media Intelligence

Carla Benitez

Director, Human Resources

Andrea Wilson

Vice President, Media Management

Carla Heerji

Director, Human Resources

Andrea Wilson

Vice President, Media Management

Let’s build better together.

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

Director of Human Resources

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 graduated with her MBA from Southern Methodist University where she was the treasurer for her cohort. Carla serves as the DEI chair for Dallas American Advertising Federation. She also serves on the DFWIMA board.  In 2023, Carla received Ad2Dallas’s 32 Under 32 award. Carla is also a certified yoga instructor and Level 1 Reiki certified. When she’s not working, she likes to binge true crime podcasts, paint, and make healthy, fresh juice with her juicer.

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

Director of Human Resources

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 graduated with her MBA from Southern Methodist University where she was the treasurer for her cohort. Carla serves as the DEI chair for Dallas American Advertising Federation. She also serves on the DFWIMA board.  In 2023, Carla received Ad2Dallas’s 32 Under 32 award. Carla is also a certified yoga instructor and Level 1 Reiki certified. When she’s not working, she likes to binge true crime podcasts, paint, and make healthy, fresh juice with her juicer.

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.