Not all executive search agencies are created equal.

Take Burō Talent, a global creative and marketing executive search agency, which represents a global network of unique, often “under the radar” visionary talent that can transform, enhance and realize a brand’s aspirations.

Damian Chiam and Janou Pakter partnered in 1985 when they met at TK. Janou opened her namesake creative recruitment agency, Janou Pakter Inc. in New York City based on the international network of unique talent she cultivated in Europe and the U.S.

She sold in 2012 the namesake agency she built over 25-plus years, after opening offices in Amsterdam, Geneva, Paris, Milan, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Damian in 2014 joined Janou as a partner, launching Janou LLC, an agency that’s built on Janou’s continued passion to connect with the talent that reflects the new ways of thinking and working of today's generation of creative and marketing leaders.

In 2022, after seven years of working together successfully and making significant industry placements for key brands, Damian and Janou embarked on a journey to rebrand their agency define their partnership.

The two partners, Damian Chiam and Janou Pakter, rebranded this year as Burō Talent, a thriving and highly-specialized boutique executive search agency focusing on placing senior creative and marketing executives with global brands.

“Burō talent is us, Damian and Janou, the two founding partners,” says the company’s web site. “You work directly with us. Always. Together we work with global brands and discerning clients looking for a needle in the haystack. A talent that is exceptional.

“Our focus is purely in creative, marketing and product, working directly with clients and candidates as their search partner, consultant and advisor,” Pakter said. “We know our respective industries inside out which allows us to provide insight on the competitive landscape, trends and opportunities.

“Running Janou LLC together for 9 years was great,” said Pakter. “We saw unprecedented success. The partnership strengthened as time went on, however, the consistent confusion between us and Janou’s previously (sold) company gave us pause. We’ve already distinguished ourselves from other search agencies through our beliefs and approach. It was time to once and for all shake off any associations with the past and officially launch a new agency that defines us both, Damian & Janou.

“We each have unique and complementary skills that our clients have grown to trust and rely on. Now, we want the world to know who we are, what we do best, how we are different, and our unique approach to search.”

Many view us as a “Luxury Executive Search Agency” or “Fashion Executive Search Recruiter” of which we are experts, but we are more than that,” Pakter said. “We are a Creative and Marketing Executive Search Agency that represents talent across industries but always with a focus on progressive human-centered leadership. We strive to make Creativity, Design, Inclusion and Innovation primary values and business incentives for our clients. This shift in priorities makes us stand out.

“Also, we place the most talented Creative and Marketing professionals within companies that are best in class industry leaders. This applies to a wide variety of brands from luxury to CPG, retail, lifestyle and technology. When we are referred to as "Luxury Executive Search" it’s for our approach to the Executive Search Experience, the bespoke service we provide to both candidates and clients.

Collaboration with HR and Talent Acquisition

“This is a people-centered business,” Pakter. “Right now the industry still suffers from a reputation of being a fee collector with more concern about filling a role than the humans they interact with. We hear candidates talk about their experience as being treated as just another number.

“Nobody should ever have an experience like that,” Pakter added. “From candidate to client, everyone is treated with respect and care. We give honest and constructive feedback, we coach candidates for interviews, and should they not get the role, we guide them onto the next opportunity.

‍”All too often we hear about search leaders disrespecting, bypassing or disregarding HR and talent acquisition departments from the client's side, preferring to communicate directly with the hiring manager,” Pakter said. “We believe the hiring process involves all the major players, meaning we support and value HR as a strategic partner. We bring the best possible candidates forward and together as a team (client and burō), enhance and support the hiring journey in order to make a long lasting and successful placement.

Burō declines searches if they do not sit in our special area of expertise. Clients engage us for our deep knowledge and unique approach in the industry. Of the select top talents we will introduce, you’ll want to meet them all. Our focus is laser sharp. We want to change how the search industry behaves and is being perceived.”

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