STEVE MCCLELLAN

Articles by Stephen All articles by Stephen

• Greenberg Succeeds Birkin As CEO Kyu in MAD on 03/31/2026
  

  Birkin has been in the role as founding CEO since 2014 and who will step into the role of Chairman. Greenberg is founding CEO of media agency Kepler, which kyu acquired in 2018.

• Hanson Dodge Wins AOR For Festa Pinsa Crusts in MAD on 03/31/2026
  

  The brand was launched last year to bring the pinsa crust craze to the US from Italy where it has become wildly popular.

• CourtAvenue Acquires Data Consultant GTX Solutions in MAD on 03/30/2026
  

  GTX will integrate with CourtAvenue's existing data practice, working alongside chief data officer Scott Hamm to expand capabilities across commerce, CDPs and enterprise data strategy.

• Advertising Luminary Bob Schmetterer Dies At 82 in MAD on 03/30/2026
  

  He was former chairman and CEO of Euro RSCG (which later became Havas Worldwide) and founding partner of Messner Vetere Berger Carey Schmetterer.

• Mediaplus Taps Dentsu Veteran Le Thierry For Global Biz Dev Role in MAD on 03/27/2026
  

  Le Thierry will lead global new business and oversee the strategy and execution of cross-market pitches, working with agency's market leaders and global team.

• Dentsu's Sano: 'Client-Centricity Is Our New Mantra' in MAD on 03/27/2026
  

  With the renewed focus on shoring up international operations, Sano asserted that the Japan business would continue to grow "while expanding its strengths more broadly across the global organization."

• Horizon Media Holdings Names Bhavana Smith First COO in MAD on 03/26/2026
  

  According to Horizon, the appointment "reflects a broader strategic shift in how the agency defines, measures, and delivers value, emphasizing performance, transparency, and client-aligned outcomes."

• Cavello Returns To Martin* As CEO in MAD on 03/26/2026
  

  Cavello had been CEO of Martin* from 2017 until 2022 before moving to MullenLowe. In 2024 she announced she was stepping down to get involved with various political and societal causes.

• 'Secondborn' Creative Incubator Is Unveiled in MAD on 03/26/2026
  

  The new offering provides short-term engagements designed to accelerate branding and creative output for clients that don't see a need for a long-term agency relationship.

• U.S. Army Preps New Marketing Services Contract in MAD on 03/26/2026
  

  DDB won the last contract, valued at $4 billion, in 2018. The new contract would take effect in 2028.

Comments by Stephen All comments by Stephen

• Interpublic's R/GA Taken Private By Truelink Capital by Steve McClellan (MAD on 03/03/2025)
  

  Good question, Scott. Not disclosed so far. 

• International Advertising Association Establishes North American Chapter by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 03/17/2023)
  

  Michael, the IAA has had a New York chapter but has never had a North America chapter. This will encompass all of the US, Canada and Mexico, according to the group. Thank you for rasing the point as the article should have provided that background. 

• How Much Does Gun Advertising Contribute To All The Killing? by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 06/01/2022)
  

  Steve, here is a link to the NYT story referrenced in the Whitman column. It does not show the videogame type ads described in the piece. It does link to a Daniel Defense ad featuring children. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/business/daniel-defense-rifle-texas-shooting-gun.html?searchResultPosition=1

• New Era At Accenture Interactive As Droga Is Poised To Take The Reins by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/23/2021)
  

  Oops, thanks for pointing that out John.

• 4A's Creates Agency Review Participation Agreement by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/24/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, I think you're right--an effort to make clients aware agencies have major issues with the current process, particularly when the client doesn't retain professional help with the search. No power per se. 

• Agency Review Activity Spikes After Quiet 2020 by Steve McClellan (MAD on 07/09/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, the $544 million figure is a net figure that does take into account losses. No doubt marketers are pressing for lower fees/prices whereever they can find them, with all suppliers. But the spike probably does reflect the fact that marketers put off reviews last year to deal with other more pressing COVID-related issues. 

• Imagine A Pro Sports Team Called The 'New York Jews' by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 07/13/2020)
  

  Ed, I think the hockey team has a claim on the Capitals name there, although St. Louis had both a baseball Cardinals and a football Cardinals for some time. To your broader point, yeah, there are a lot options for non-offensive names. 

• Despite Rumors To The Contrary, Manly Men Drink Rose by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/06/2017)
  

  Thanks Nicholas, as editor of this column I should have caught that. Appreciate that you did. 

• Brands Failing To Provide Quality Training In Media Skills by Steve McClellan (MAD on 10/28/2016)
  

  It is J.R., although it's usually not referred to as 'educatiing' and frequently it is people below the c suite. But often agencies meet with clients to 'brief' them on this or that issue. Which makes sense given that the former are supposed to be experts in the field. 

• Agencies React To Finger-Pointing, 4As Calls ANA Report Anonymous, One-Sided by Steve McClellan (MAD on 06/07/2016)
  

  Thanks for catching that Michael, now fixed.

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