Forthea names Jon Leicht chief client officer as it expands AI marketing push

Forthea Digital Marketing said July 30, 2026, that Jon Leicht will become chief client officer and head of growth as the Houston agency expands AI-driven marketing services. The planned transition also sets up the retirement of longtime COO and client services leader Larry K. H. Jenkins while Forthea scales work across B2B, multifamily residential and multi-location businesses.

Why it matters: - Forthea is betting that AI-powered analytics and predictive modeling will become a bigger advantage in performance marketing. - The leadership change is meant to support growth as the agency expands across B2B, multifamily residential and multi-location accounts. - The move also gives Forthea a succession plan as a longtime executive prepares to retire.

What happened: - Forthea Digital Marketing named Jon Leicht chief client officer and head of growth. - The Houston-based agency said the appointment is part of a broader push to scale AI-integrated digital marketing. - Forthea said the transition was planned and will help maintain continuity for clients and staff. - Larry K. H. Jenkins, longtime chief operating officer and senior vice president of client services, will retire after a decade with the agency. - Jenkins will continue as a trusted advisor.

The details: - Forthea said its proprietary modeling gives clients predictive insights that are typically available to large enterprises. - Leicht brings more than 20 years of experience in digital marketing, client services, enterprise account strategy and business growth. - Before joining Forthea, Leicht served as senior vice president and managing director of corporate development at iProspect. - Leicht also served as SVP and head of client services at Wpromote. - His experience includes work with Sony, Procter & Gamble, ADT and Petco. - At Forthea, Leicht will oversee client services and lead growth strategy. - Leicht will work closely with the analytics, paid media, SEO and web development teams. - Chris Pappas, Forthea president and founder, said Leicht’s background in enterprise relationships fits the agency’s next phase of growth. - Pappas also said Jenkins helped shape the agency’s client services and strategic direction.

Between the lines: - Forthea is positioning analytics as a differentiator, not just a support function. - The agency is signaling that AI adoption is already changing how it packages client services and growth leadership. - The planned handoff suggests Forthea wants to avoid disruption while it expands into more complex client categories. - Leicht’s background at larger agencies points to an effort to bring enterprise-scale discipline to a growing shop.

What's next: - Leicht will step into his new role as Jenkins retires from day-to-day leadership. - Forthea is expected to keep investing in AI-integrated digital marketing and performance marketing capabilities. - Jenkins will advise the agency during the transition. - The company will continue serving B2B and B2C clients across paid media, SEO, AEO, analytics, web design and development, and conversion rate optimization.

The bottom line: - Forthea is pairing a leadership transition with an AI-driven growth strategy, betting that deeper analytics and stronger client services will help it scale.