The Challenge Coin

If you run into Jordan Muse, you might want to ask him about his “Challenge Coin.”

A group of colleagues at ad agency MullenLowe took Muse out to dinner late last month at the Limani Grille, to celebrate his appointment as president of East Coast operations. The Department of Defense, coincidentally, had just renewed its contract with MullenLowe for another five years. So senior vice president Don Lorenzet gave Muse a collectible coin like those used to recognize honor and camaraderie in the military. In that “Challenge Coin” tradition, someone can end up paying for drinks at a bar if they are challenged and don’t have the coin with them.

The coin was a lighthearted way of reminding Muse of his newfound responsibility, overseeing the 250 people who work at the firm’s Boston and New York offices. Muse takes over for Kelly Fredrickson, who MullenLowe global chief executive Kristen Cavallo recently tapped to be chief culture officer across the firm’s three US offices — the other is in Los Angeles. For her part, Fredrickson said she’s looking forward to helping create a unified corporate culture at a time when the hybrid approach to work remains prevalent. Culture, she said, is crucial to attracting and retaining employees and clients.

Muse previously worked at The Martin Agency — which, like MullenLowe, is owned by Interpublic Group. (Cavallo is also Martin’s CEO.) Muse relocated from Virginia, where Martin is based, to New York for his new job, and will split his time between the Boston and New York offices.

Muse said he was honored by the coin — even if it means he might have to pay for a few drinks here or there.

“It just shows the team was willing to welcome me with open arms,” Muse said. “I’ll take on that responsibility.”

This article was originally posted by Jon Chesto on The Boston Globe here.