Ricky Ray Butler Named CEO Of Bill Gates-Owned Product Placement Agency BEN

Branded Entertainment Network (BEN), the Bill Gates-owned ad agency that facilitates product placements from the likes of Disney, Microsoft, and KFC into TV shows, films, and digital productions, has tapped a brand new leader.

Former global chief creative officer Ricky Ray Butler has been named CEO of the company, effective June 1. On that date, current CEO Gary Shenk will transition to the newly-created role of executive chairman.

In his new position, Butler will be tasked with enhancing BEN’s relationships with brands and content creators. The agency has worked with Zach King, Alisha Marie, and Marcus Butler. (You can check out a handful of past collaborations right here

). Prior to joining BEN, Butler founded Plaid Social Labs in 2009 — a social media influencer product integration startup that was acquired by BEN in 2015 and redubbed BEN Digital. Butler began at the company as SVP of digital, where he helped establish relationships with influencers, and was promptly promoted to the CCO role within a year.

“Ricky Ray is a great leader, operator, and proven performer,” Shenk — who will subsequently focus on advising Butler and leading long-term initiatives — said in a statement. “He built Plaid Social, which, as BEN Digital, has now evolved into the leading influencer marketing company. He’s an inspirational and empowering team builder, whose passion and work ethic are infectious — he’s bold.”