NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May. 20, 2009--
The Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) announced today that Martin Walsh, a
senior GM executive with experience across the carmaker’s divisions and
international operations, has joined IPG to serve in a new role that
will oversee and coordinate the marketing services holding company’s
efforts on behalf of this important client. In this new position,
reporting directly to Interpublic Chairman and CEO Michael Roth, Mr.
Walsh will be responsible for aligning the efforts of the various IPG
agencies that work on GM business, ensuring optimal allocation of IPG
resources against key GM strategic priorities and providing the client
with a central point of contact to ensure maximum effectiveness of all
marketing activities.
“We all know this is a critical time in the history of General Motors,
and we see it as an opportunity to come forward with a new way in which
to deliver value for this key client,” said Mr. Roth. “A number of our
agencies already produce terrific thinking and creative work for GM
brands across a broad range of marketing disciplines. We felt it made a
lot of sense to add a high-level IPG resource that will give GM access
to the best talent across our network, ensure that our agencies are
collaborating on fully integrated solutions and deliver thought
leadership in vital areas such as digital marketing and marketing
analytics. As we thought through this new model for working more
effectively and efficiently with GM, Martin became an obvious choice to
lead it. He has tremendous insight into GM’s needs at this important
juncture, coupled with a thoughtful and strategic approach to solving
problems. We’re very excited to have him join us as Senior VP,
Interpublic and President of the GM Relationship as we create this new
model, which will initially be in effect for all domestic GM marketing
efforts.”
“I am delighted to take on this opportunity with Interpublic, an
industry leader that’s powered by such exceptional marketing
professionals,” noted Walsh. “The senior IPG team has been
forward-thinking in putting together a new model that seeks to maximize
the benefits we can deliver to GM. Putting in place dedicated leadership
that thinks about the GM business holistically and manages resource
allocation centrally – while also respecting the needs of GM’s multiple
marketing groups and the strong existing bonds with outstanding AORs
such as Campbell-Ewald, Deutsch, McCann-Erickson, Mullen and R*Works –
should prove a powerful combination. On a personal level, this new
appointment is especially meaningful as it enables me, from a new and
exciting perspective, to make a continued contribution to General
Motors.”
Walsh, 56, was most recently General Manager for the HUMMER division of
GM. He had been with the company for 33 years, beginning his career in
Canada, where he rose through the sales and marketing ranks to
ultimately lead national marketing. Subsequently, Walsh spent five years
in Detroit as General Director of Marketing for the iconic Cadillac
division. He was then asked to serve as Executive Director of Vehicle
Sales and Marketing for GM Mexico, one of the company’s most important
international markets. Prior to his current position at HUMMER, which
he’s held since 2006, Walsh spent three years as the Executive Director
of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing Support for GM. He will join IPG
in his new role effective June 15, 2009.
About Interpublic
Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising
agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include
Draftfcb, FutureBrand, GolinHarris International, Initiative, Jack
Morton Worldwide, Lowe Worldwide, Magna, McCann Erickson, Momentum, MRM
Worldwide, Octagon, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick. Leading
domestic brands include Campbell-Ewald, Campbell Mithun, Carmichael
Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, Mullen, The Martin Agency and R/GA. For
more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.
Source: Interpublic
Interpublic Group
Tom Cunningham, 212-704-1326
or
Analysts,
Investors
Jerry Leshne, 212-704-1439