Execs & Accounts: Initiative, Upshot, Emerge Digital
Former NY Times research exec Graham to head new Initiative division; Upshot acquires Emerge Digital; FIM design exec moves to run new Denver office for Swire.
Former New York Times research exec Jeffrey Graham was hired as Initiative’s worldwide director, performance. The Interpublic Group-owned media firm created the role to manage its new performance-based, data-driven approach to planning, optimizing, and measuring marketing efforts.
Chicago marketing agency Upshot will acquire interactive agency Emerge Digital. Emerge’s staff has moved to Upshot’s headquarters in Chicago and now operate under the Upshot name. Emerge, which works with clients including Consumer Reports and HBO, adds Web design, online promotions, social media, and mobile marketing to Upshot’s capabilities. Upshot clients include Kraft Foods and MillerCoors.
California-based marketing communications agency Swire has opened offices in Denver, Colorado and near Washington, D.C. The company, which mainly serves clients in the cable industry, named former Fox Interactive Media design exec Steven Seybold as interactive creative director; Seybold will head up the Denver office. Mark Snow will run the firm’s analytics division from the D.C.-area office in Reston, Virginia.
Tribal Fusion added more sales execs in Atlanta and New York, and opened a Chicago office. The digital ad firm named three Chicago sales executives: Julie Ford, previously of Real Girls Media; Amy O’Donovan, formerly of Yahoo; and Jason Wolf, most recently from Like.com. Ex-AOL regional sales director Joe Tuttle will serve ad a new sales executive for the southeast region in Atlanta.
In New York, Andrew Berman was hired as a sales exec after leaving BBC Worldwide. Former AOL and Gorilla Nation exec Melissa Dickman also joined as a new sales executive, along with previous regional sales manager at Forbes, Chris Litchfield. Justin Saverine and Jim Johnson were hired as new account managers in New York.
Online ad industry vet Sarah Fay has joined NetShelter Technology Media’s board of directors. The former CEO of Carat is now an independent consultant serving on boards of firms such as [x+1].
Digital consulting firm Chong and Koster has partnered with sports consultancy TSE Consulting. Chong and Koster, which typically works with political, non-profit, and advocacy clients, will help TSE handle digital efforts including Web sites, online advertising, e-mail marketing, and social media campaigns. TSE works with sports organizations and municipalities seeking to host sporting events.
Remarking on the similarities between TSE’s clients — including United States Bowling Congress, The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and a variety of country-based Olympics committees and sporting commissions — Chong and Koster Managing Partner Josh Koster told ClickZ News both firms work with high-profile clients that deal with the press and the electorate.
Former Travel Ad Network sales exec Neil Strow has joined Good Health Media. Strow, formerly VP sales at TAN, was named sales director for the health ad network. Thomson Reuters GM Riley McDonough and Grey Healthcare President Lynn O’Connor Vos were also added to Good Health’s Board of Advisors.
