In-House Excellence Awards
Grand Jury

CHARISSA MESSER

Executive Director, Enterprise Creative Solutions
Bank of America

BIO

Charissa Messer leads Bank of America’s in‑house creative agency, Enterprise Creative Solutions (ECS), delivering brand‑elevating, business‑driving work across all eight lines of business. She champions modern workflows, automated solutions, and a people‑first culture grounded in her mantra: “learn, adjust, celebrate, repeat.” Charissa brings grit, empathy, and momentum‑building leadership to every challenge and is active in advancing the industry as Co‑Chair of the ANA In‑House Agency Committee and a member of the In‑House Agency Forum (IHAF), the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), and the Financial Communications Society (FCS). 

She also serves as Executive Sponsor for Delaware My Environment (DEN) and is part of the Delaware/Philadelphia Market Leadership Council, championing communication, volunteerism, and engagement across the region — always believing that when teams stay curious and connected, the work gets better. 

Q&A with Charissa Messer

Provide one word that defines "In-House Excellence" in 2026. 

Unforgettable 

What is one trend in creative operations or in-housing you are watching most closely? 

How AI and modern tech stacks are transforming creative operations end‑to‑end, and which companies will emerge as the most effective partners in building solutions that drive smarter, faster, more consistent personalization at scale.  

In one sentence—what is the single most important element that moves an entry from "Good" to "Grand Prix"? 

It’s when a clear human insight is brought to life with such precision and craft that it creates a feeling you can’t shake — that’s what moves a piece from good to Grand Prix. 

What is the #1 mistake teams should avoid when telling their campaign’s "story" in a submission? 

Trying to pack in every detail instead of drawing a simple, human line from the insight to the idea to the business impact that genuinely moved people and drove results. 

Why is it critical for in-house agencies to have their own dedicated stage for recognition? 

With no guarantee of the next brief, a dedicated stage spotlights the award‑winning work our in‑house team delivers — work that moves the brand and the business, fuels our culture, builds pride, and gives us a chance to celebrate with our marketing partners. #superstars 

What lessons from your own leadership journey most influence how you assess excellence? 

That inspiration and great ideas can come from anywhere—and staying open‑minded with a fresh lens is what allows true excellence to break through. 

In an era of rapid automation, what "human-only" quality are you looking for most in this year's submissions? 

Raw emotion — that unmistakable spark only humans can bring, turning insight into a feeling that lingers long after the work is gone. 

Why do awards programs like the In-House Excellence Awards matter to the health and progress of the marketing industry? 

They honor the teams closest to the brand who are innovating and delivering business results, fueling the pride and momentum that help the industry progress, learn, and evolve together. 

Get to know the 2026 In-House Excellence Grand Jurors.