MPG Promotes Hiltz To CEO

Lori-Hiltz-BHavas-owned media agency MPG has promoted Lori Hiltz to CEO of its North American operation. She will also assume North American CEO duties for Havas Media, the umbrella organization that oversees a portfolio of specialty media units including Havas Digital, Havas Sports & Entertainment and customized campaign specialist Arena Media.

Hiltz, who started today, will continue to report to Maria Luisa Francoli Plaza, MPG’s global CEO. Francoli Plaza had been doing double duty for the last two-plus years, running both the global and North American operations of MPG, as well as Havas Media North America.

She took on the North American chores on an interim basis after the departure of Shaun Holliday in April 2010. Holliday’s tenure was short-lived, lasting a little more than a year.

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Prior to her promotion, Hiltz was head of MPG’s Chicago office, where she also managed the retail giant Sears Holdings account, including both Sears and K-Mart.

Just last month, Sears Holdings said it was reviewing its media assignment for the first time in five years. Hiltz is credited with preventing an earlier review and stabilizing the relationship with the retailer upon her arrival at MPG Chicago in January 2010. During her run overseeing Chicago, sibling digital agency Media Contacts -- which had lost the Sears account -- recaptured it. 

Hiltz is also credited with helping to diversify the Chicago office with wins such as Cracker Barrel Restaurants, a joint win of Euro RSGC and MPG. That win, she said, also illustrates the time and effort she made to strengthen ties with Euro in order to grow business jointly. “The synergies propel you to win [and together] can deliver this integrated product across our U.S. network.”   

Francoli Plaza cited Hiltz’s “deep understanding of media and proven track record for helping to grow clients’ businesses.”

Among other things on her near term to-do list, Hiltz said she will conduct a “massive meet and greet” tour of North American MPG clients over the next several months. Knowing the clients and strengthening relationships with them is a critical CEO function, she said. 

Hiltz said she will continue to foster what she calls a “real spirit of entrepreneurship” at the agency, exemplified by the shop’s “alternative buying solutions across all channels,” and its ability to convert its “consulting aptitude” into new business for the agency.

Hiltz joined MPG from Omnicom’s PHD Detroit, where she managed all media duties and client service for the Chrysler brands. 

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