Russell Marsh Named as Network’s First Chief Data Officer
Both to Drive Company’s Automation and Growth Agendas Across Global Markets
NEW YORK – IPG Mediabrands, the media innovation arm of Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), announced that Henry Tajer, currently Executive Chairman of the award-winning IPG Mediabrands Australia, has been elevated to the role of Global Chief Operating Officer, IPG Mediabrands, reporting directly to Global CEO, Matt Seiler. He will be based in both Sydney and New York. Tajer is charged with accelerating the global growth agenda set forth by the organization.
“I’m very excited to be joining IPG Mediabrands at such a dynamic time. Connected data and cross-channel automation is about to drive a whole new wave of industry growth and IPG Mediabrands is at the forefront of leading that change”
Tajer, who has served as Executive Chairman of the award-winning IPG Mediabrands business in Australia for the past three years, will continue in that role while leading growth initiatives across the broader IPG Mediabrands global network including mobile, social media marketing and data and media investment through MAGNA on a worldwide scale.
The Company also announced that Russell Marsh, currently Group Strategy Director at Rapp UK and Head of Mobile for Rapp globally, will join as Chief Data Officer, based in London. Both roles are critical to the global growth and automation agendas set forth by the organization. Marsh will report to Tajer, as will Angela Steele, CEO, Ansible, Chris Williams, President, MAGNA GLOBAL, and Nicole Craine, President, MAP.
Under Tajer’s leadership, IPG Mediabrands’ Australia operation has been one of the global network’s outstanding success stories in recent years and contains 12 operating units. The group’s performance has led to the creation of award-winning solutions for clients that deliver true business returns, but also to recognition that includes industry and other business accolades. In 2013 the Australia business was awarded three Agency of the Year awards, a Media Grand Prix, a ranking of fifth among Australia’s Most Innovative Companies and a high ranking for the country’s list of Best Places to Work across all industries. Tajer himself was named towards the top end of the Power 50, which recognizes the most influential media and advertising executives in Australia. Due in part to these achievements, Tajer is now tasked with delivering similar levels of success across the global network.
As part of his responsibilities, Marsh will work closely with the company’s MAGNA, MAP and Agency Brands in furthering the cutting edge investments in analytics, business intelligence, client campaign management, and cross-market insight on a global scale. His experience across varied organizations like RAPP, Agency.com, Fullsix UK and Sapient, has given Marsh a strong point of view on client creative and strategic needs as well as digital and mobile strategies.
“With our clearly defined network growth objectives, including the 50% automation target in North America by 2016 and our global markets thereafter, we need a strong executive to take the lead across all platforms. Henry has shown a great ability to move the needle creatively, through technology, our pay-for-performance model and strong client relationships. Given this, I am certain that Henry is the right executive to lead this charge in order to maintain our position of innovation and speed to market,” shared Seiler.
Tajer said: “IPG and IPG Mediabrands have high ambitions for growth across the global business with a focus on innovation through the creative use of skill sets and technology. The business has performed very well and my energies will focus on accelerating initiatives that continue to lift our performance for clients and for our businesses overall. True talent like Russell Marsh, Angela Steele, Chris Williams and Nicole Craine will be the link to accelerating that growth.”
“I’m very excited to be joining IPG Mediabrands at such a dynamic time. Connected data and cross-channel automation is about to drive a whole new wave of industry growth and IPG Mediabrands is at the forefront of leading that change,” said Marsh.
About IPG Mediabrands
Founded by Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) in 2007 to manage all of its global media related assets, IPG Mediabrands manages and invests $37 billion in global media on the behalf of its clients, employs over 8,500 diverse and daring marketing communication specialists worldwide and operates in more than 127 countries.
A proven entity in helping clients maximize business results through integrated, intelligence-driven marketing strategies, IPG Mediabrands is committed to driving automated buying, pay for performance and digital innovation solutions through its network of media agencies including UM, Initiative, BPN, ORION Holdings and ID Media. Its roster of specialty service agencies, including MAGNA GLOBAL, Mediabrands Audience Platform (Ansible, Cadreon, Reprise Media, Spring Creek), Mediabrands Publishing, IPG Media Lab, Ensemble, and Identity offer technologies and industry moving partnerships that are recognized for delivering unprecedented bottom line results for clients.
