ZenithOptimedia Ups Ascher To Managing Director, N.A.

AscherPublicis Groupe's ZenithOptimedia has reorganized its senior ranks to fill the shoes of David Ehlers, who was promoted to president of Optimedia U.S.

The agency network has promoted Neil Ascher to the new position of North American managing director, president, diversified services for ZenithOptimedia. In addition, the shop promoted Sean Peters to senior vice president, director of corporate development.

Ehlers succeeded Antony Young, who left Optimedia to become North American CEO at WPP's Mindshare. Previously, Ehlers' duties included oversight of corporate development, Newcast and ZO Multicultural.

Ascher will oversee core diversified businesses operated by the agency including Newcast, ZO's branded entertainment division; ZO Multicultural, the strategic planning and consultancy division for multicultural marketing; and ZO Active, a barter trading alliance with Active International.

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Formerly president of Zenith GPE (General Mills Program Exchange), he will continue to oversee Convergence, Zenith's dedicated media unit for General Mills and The Program Exchange, the program's syndication company.

Tim Jones, CEO of ZenithOptimedia, N.A., called Ascher "an exemplary and talented executive who is able to successfully manage multiple responsibilities."

Peters' duties include managing the agency's new business, corporate development initiatives and public relations efforts. Jones described Peters as a "rising star in our organization."

Ascher and Peters will both report directly to Jones.

Separately, Ehrlers hit the ground running at Optimedia, overseeing the shop's winning pitch for Pizza Hut in September. The Pizza chain spends roughly $220 million on ads.

As previous head of business development for ZO, Ehlers also played a role in bringing new client Disney to Optimedia, just before his arrival at the shop as president. In July, the client awarded the media assignment for its movie studio, home entertainment and interactive divisions to Publicis Groupe's media agency oversight firm VivaKi. Optimedia is handling the strategic planning pieces of that assignment.

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