Fran Kelly is a driven vice chairman and a self-described branding and integrated marketing fanatic. He believes in the power of big ideas intelligently executed and has helped dozens of clients find their big idea over his 25+ years in advertising. Fran joined Arnold in 1994 as CMO. In 1995, he helped Arnold’s integrated team develop the now famous “Drivers wanted.” campaign for VW. Titleist, FootJoy, Ocean Spray, truth®, TAG, Jack Daniels, Royal Caribbean, Citizens Bank, Talbots and Hershey’s are additional brand success stories he has been part of at Arnold. Fran became President of Arnold in 2002 and was named CEO in early 2006. His career started at Young & Rubicam in 1978.

Fran is a graduate of Amherst College and the Harvard Business School. He is a passionate public speaker and co-author of What They Really Teach You at the Harvard Business School and The Breakaway Brand.   He is a third-generation Irish-American whose father’s ancestors came from Kilshanny, Co. Clare, and whose mother’s family emigrated from Dublin. Fran is the proud father of 20-year-old twins.