Wray Ward
Kent Panther
President, CEO
Kent is a strategic thinker with a passion for integrated marketing solutions that deliver results.
He joined Wray Ward as head of insights and brand strategy in 2004 and played a key role in the agency’s growth and evolution in the following decades. He was named president and chief executive officer in 2023.
During his tenure at Wray Ward, Kent has overseen client engagement, project management, resourcing and business development, fostering better connections between critical client acquisition, service and delivery areas. As CEO, Kent continues to guide Wray Ward’s commitment to the outstanding creativity and better-performing work that its clients depend on and its employees embody.
Prior to Wray Ward, Kent held ownership, management and supervisory positions at several agencies in the southeast where he worked with brands including McDonald’s, Michelin, Lowe’s and more.
He frequently has been invited to deliver insights to marketers and researchers at various events and gives time and talent to organizations in his community and industry. He serves as a Global Connect Advisor for NKBA and as an advisory council member for The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte. He served on the boards of directors for Classroom Central, Anuvia Prevention & Recovery Center, Charlotte Chamber Center City Area Council (now Charlotte Regional Business Alliance) and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Kent has served on marketing committees for the Arts & Science Council, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont and The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte. He also has provided strategic marketing services pro bono to numerous community organizations.
He joined Wray Ward as head of insights and brand strategy in 2004 and played a key role in the agency’s growth and evolution in the following decades. He was named president and chief executive officer in 2023.
During his tenure at Wray Ward, Kent has overseen client engagement, project management, resourcing and business development, fostering better connections between critical client acquisition, service and delivery areas. As CEO, Kent continues to guide Wray Ward’s commitment to the outstanding creativity and better-performing work that its clients depend on and its employees embody.
Prior to Wray Ward, Kent held ownership, management and supervisory positions at several agencies in the southeast where he worked with brands including McDonald’s, Michelin, Lowe’s and more.
He frequently has been invited to deliver insights to marketers and researchers at various events and gives time and talent to organizations in his community and industry. He serves as a Global Connect Advisor for NKBA and as an advisory council member for The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Charlotte. He served on the boards of directors for Classroom Central, Anuvia Prevention & Recovery Center, Charlotte Chamber Center City Area Council (now Charlotte Regional Business Alliance) and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Kent has served on marketing committees for the Arts & Science Council, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont and The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte. He also has provided strategic marketing services pro bono to numerous community organizations.
This Speaker's Sessions
Innovator Showcase: New Models, New Capabilities, More Profitable Growth
May 8, 2024 | 11:00 am
Here, we’ll take a look at four agencies that have built unique operations. Their business models are fundamentally different, with capabilities and fee structures that better meet the needs of what clients need right now – and will demand in the coming few years.This panel will discuss the latest changes they’ve implemented to improve their capabilities, grow their clients, drive new business, retain their best talent, and even design their office spaces – ultimately creating growth that is profitable and sustainable.