NEW YORK, March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Wunderman
announces that Gary S. Laben has
been named the agency's Global Chief Data Officer and is now
responsible for expanding the company's data assets, data
management and analytics practices to provide insights-rich
creative marketing support to Wunderman's global clients. Laben
will report to Mark Read, CEO of
Wunderman, and will remain as Chief Executive Officer of KBM
Group—Wunderman's data, insights and marketing technology arm.
Working alongside Global Chief Creative Officer, Lincoln Bjorkman, Laben will ensure that
data-driven insights and creative are aligned consistently
throughout Wunderman, and that best practices in data, data
management and cutting-edge analytics tools and techniques are
adhered to worldwide.
"Our strategy is to combine creativity and data to drive results
for our clients. We do it by helping our clients get control of
their data, harnessing the insights it reveals and developing
relevant marketing that speaks to individuals — to their unique
interests, on their terms," says Read. "Today, with the growth of
platforms like Facebook and Twitter and the explosion of data, the
world is coming full circle and all marketing is becoming what
Lester Wunderman termed 'direct
marketing,' over 50 years ago."
Wunderman's existing data capabilities, housed within KBM Group,
include the management of nearly 800 million consumer profiles; the
collection of more than 12 billion SKUs annually; 5 proprietary
analytic platforms; Impact®, a comprehensive data-driven
consumer engagement platform; and the ability to handle more than
2,300 terabytes of data. In addition, Wunderman's global
enterprise-scaled data management platform, Zipline DMP™, acts as a
data hub connecting massive amounts of data across offline and
online sources, including social media such as Facebook and
Twitter.
"Wunderman's extensive global footprint and well-honed data
management capabilities are a unique set of assets among agencies,"
says Laben. "By more closely integrating these assets, we will
bring world-class creative marketing solutions to our clients, and
strengthen their competitive advantage. Our commitment is to ensure
that every client has access to the creative and experiential value
that data provides."
Laben's entire career has been devoted to data and data
management in the marketing industry. Prior to joining KBM Group in
2000, he served as vice president of marketing and business
development at Experian and established a track record of
acquisition, data expansion and business development. He has been
awarded the Silver Apple from the Direct Marketing Club of
New York for outstanding
contributions to direct and interactive marketing, the Edward N.
Mayer, Jr. Education Leadership Award from the Direct Marketing
Educational Foundation, and Direct Marketer of the Year by the
Taylor Institute for Direct Marketing.
About Wunderman
Consistently ranked among the world's top digital, CRM and
mobile agencies, Wunderman delivers deeply connected brand
experiences, consumer engagements, data and insights, and
healthcare marketing solutions that build brands and businesses. We
blend creative, data and technology to connect customers and
brands. Founded by Lester Wunderman
in 1958, the agency now has 175 offices in 60 countries. Best Buy,
Citibank, Coca-Cola, Ford, Microsoft, Pfizer, Telefónica, Shell,
UnitedHealth Group and leading local brands are among our clients.
Wunderman is part of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY) and Young & Rubicam
Group. Learn more at www.wunderman.com and @wunderman.
CONTACT: Andrew
Sexton
212.941.3726
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SOURCE Wunderman