D.A. Davidson names new leadership positions

IRVINE, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) - D.A. Davidson announced Wednesday its commitment to accelerate its marketing and digital transformation across its investment banking and institutional equities divisions.

Andreea Popa has joined as head of Equity Capital Markets Marketing to develop and execute a strategic marketing plan that positions D.A. Davidson's ECM Group for continued growth across consumer, diversified industrials, financial institutions, and technology industry verticals and geographies.

The company also announced that John Jameson has joined as a managing director, specializing in direct-to-consumer, omnichannel, and eCommerce businesses within the Home Environment and Branded Consumer Products segments.

D.A. Davidson's ECM Group provides capital markets services and products, including investment banking, institutional sales, trading, research and corporate services. Popa will be responsible for raising the firm's visibility, supporting its business development efforts and leading communications.

What changes can we expect to see from D.A. Davidson's ECM Group?

"We are investing in new strategies that reshape the business into a digitally results-oriented platform. Andreea brings over 20 years of financial industry and digital marketing experience. She has an innovative leadership approach to marketing and communications, which will support our global strategy and growth initiatives," said Rory McKinney, head of Investment Banking and managing director at D.A. Davidson. "Moreover, we are actively sourcing top new talent across industries committed to our shared values that reinforce a cohesive high-performance culture and team spirit of competitive urgency, teamwork, honesty and integrity."

How have your experiences affected the way you approach marketing?

"I have a journalism background, having worked on Wall Street for a premier rating agency as an editor creating various financial research products for print. As a result, I had the opportunity to experience the power of digital transformation first-hand at its onset. I am passionate about leveraging technology to deliver on objectives that improve the client experience and create operational efficiencies to meet the changing needs of the business," Popa said. "I'm looking forward to working closely with the investment banking and institutional equities research teams to develop and implement strategies to position and strengthen the brand and its market presence."

"Andreea has a proven track record of creating a unique investment banking brand and delivering innovative marketing strategies. She will be working with the D.A. Davidson executive team to accelerate our digital transformation and position the business for future growth," said Monte Giese, president of Equity Capital Markets at D.A. Davidson.

Prior to joining D.A. Davidson, Popa served as head of marketing and communications for Intrepid Investment Bankers, where she helped build the Intrepid brand to scale rapidly, and five years after its launch, the firm was acquired by MUFG Union Bank, N.A., a member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. Before Intrepid, she was responsible for global editorial and regulatory activities at Houlihan Lokey. She began her career at Standard & Poor's n New York, working integrally with the Structured Finance team and Ratings Information, Products and Services division on some of the rating agency's premier financial market intelligence products.

The Los Angeles Business Journal has recognized Popa as one of the "Most Influential Marketers" in Los Angeles. She becomes part of a team of over 105 investment banking and 80 institutional equities professionals.

Jameson has represented a wide range of entrepreneurial and institutional clients in sell-side and buy-side marketing and analysis, capital raising, and strategic advisory mandates and executed more than 25 transactions totaling over $2 billion in enterprise value.

"We are excited to have John join our growing Consumer Group. He brings extensive relationships and a wealth of knowledge structuring deals for digitally-driven brands that serve clients globally across multiple categories," said Joe Schimmelpfennig, head of the Consumer Group at D.A. Davidson Investment Banking.

"We continue to invest in our people and culture and have an aggressive hiring plan to bring on high caliber talent to lead our business development efforts across our consumer, diversified industrials, financial institutions, and technology industry verticals," added Rory McKinney, managing director and head of Investment Banking at D.A. Davidson:

What is shaping the future of eCommerce in the home environment space?

"eCommerce in the home environment category has seen rapid growth the last few years as a result of COVID. While that growth will be tempered as we arrive at a 'new normal,' the long-term prospects are strong. The future of the category will be driven by improved user experience via technology advances and the expansion of omnichannel capabilities, helping to bridge the digital and physical worlds," Jameson said. "I am seeing brands emerge with a unique user experience and a differentiated value proposition to build eCommerce platforms that generate immense consumer interest and engagement."

Coming out of COVID, what is the energy like today?

"COVID provided unprecedented tailwinds to the industry, but the surge in demand came with enormous logistics, supply chain, and human capital challenges. Moderating growth is actually presenting an opportunity to analyze cost structures, improve unit economics, and lay the groundwork for sustainable future growth," Jameson said. "Small businesses to large retailers are transforming their strategies to compete in an ever-changing digital world. Despite challenges and a choppy macroeconomic outlook, the energy is high to meet sustained consumer demand and to continue to grow online sales."

Prior to joining D.A. Davidson, Jameson was a director at Brown Gibbons Lang and Co., where he helped establish the firm's eCommerce investment banking practice.

Jameson received his MBA from the University of Cincinnati and his B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University. He will be based in the firm's Indianapolis office.

About D.A. Davidson Companies

D.A. Davidson Companies is an employee-owned financial services firm offering a range of financial services and advice to individuals, corporations, institutions and municipalities nationwide. Founded in 1935 with corporate headquarters in Great Falls, Montana, and regional headquarters in Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Omaha and Seattle, the company has approximately 1,475 employees and offices in 28 states.

Subsidiaries include: D.A. Davidson & Co., a full-service investment firm providing wealth management, investment banking, equity and fixed income capital markets services, and advice; Davidson Investment Advisors, a professional asset management firm; D.A. Davidson Trust Company, a trust and wealth management company; and Davidson Fixed Income Management, a registered investment adviser providing fixed income portfolio and advisory services.

For more information, people can visit dadavidson.com .