A veteran of Chicago's ad industry, Steve Simoncic has been named chief creative officer of Jacobson Rost. In his new position, Simoncic will manage the overall creative product and the creative teams in the agency's two principal offices in Chicago and Sheboygan, Wis. He will be primarily based in the Chicago office.

Previously, Simoncic was chief creative officer at PEAK6 Energie, the marketing division of PEAK6 Investments, where he helped establish the financial services firm's branding division. Prior to PEAK6 Energie, Simoncic was a senior vice-president and creative director at Leo Burnett/Chicago, where he was employed for 15 years and worked on accounts ranging from Disney to Coca-Cola and Hallmark Cards.

"These days more than ever it takes much more than just a great creative idea to make an impact for our clients," said Jerry Flemma, president and chief operating officer for Jacobson Rost. Added Flemma: "It takes the considerable ability to fuse creativity with useful ideas that uniquely connect with people to make a positive impact in their everyday lives; Steve has a track record doing just that." In his spare time. Simoncic plays in a band and writes plays.

The Jacobson Rost client roster includes Azteca Foods, Fisher Nuts, the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. and Old Wisconsin Food Products, among others.