Bant Breen to Lead the Futures Marketing Group
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2007--The Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) announced today that it has tapped Bant Breen, 35, currently Director of Strategic Development and Innovation for Interpublic, as President of The Futures Marketing Group. The group was created as a part of Interpublic's new media alignment announced in late 2006. The unit seeks to build and drive groundbreaking media and marketing services and business models and to provide strategic new media solutions that support Interpublic's agencies. Mr. Breen will report to Stephen Gatfield, EVP, Strategy and Network Operations, and Philippe Krakowsky, EVP, Strategy and Corporate Relations.
In his new role, Breen will identify and manage investments in emerging media and communications areas. Last year, Interpublic entered into strategic partnerships with the social-networking website Facebook and with Spot Runner, an automated local advertising and media buying service. Interpublic's Emerging Media Lab, a center for marketing innovation built as both a physical and virtual space, will also be part of the Futures Marketing Group. The group will also seek to develop new business models and services as well as manage research in strategic areas that may evolve into new businesses.
"Media continues to change and evolve at an accelerating rate and its importance will increase accordingly," said Michael Roth, Interpublic's Chairman and CEO. "That is why we created the Futures Marketing Group as a part of our new media strategy. Bant is well-suited to lead this charge. His knowledge of emerging media and the leadership role he has played on a number of important clients as relates to digital will make him and his group a valuable asset for all of our agencies."
Prior to joining Interpublic, Mr. Breen was the Founder and President of Bant Breen LLC, a strategic marketing and communications consultancy affiliated with Dentsu Inc. Before founding his own company, he was with Leo Burnett Worldwide for five years in roles that included Regional Managing Director of iLeo (now Arc Worldwide) as well as Digital and Integrated Communications Director for Leo Burnett EMEA.
About Interpublic
Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include DraftFCB Group, FutureBrand, GolinHarris International, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe Worldwide, MAGNA Global, McCann Erickson, Momentum, MRM Worldwide, Octagon, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands include Campbell-Ewald, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, Mullen and The Martin Agency.
CONTACT: The Interpublic Group
Philippe Krakowsky, 212-704-1328
or
Analysts, Investors:
Jerry Leshne, 212-704-1439
SOURCE: The Interpublic Group