• by Larissa Faw , July 31, 2014

Source Marketing has made two new talent acquisitions. The MDC Partners-owned agency names Kersten Mitton Rivas, former Managing Director at Havas Worldwide New York, as its President; and Seth Berk, former SVP, Chief Marketing Officer at Big Fuel Communications, as its CMO.

“In a business fueled by talent, every person we hire is a difference-maker," said Derek Correia, CEO, Source Marketing. "The opportunity to bring in two exceptionally talented executives like Kersten and Seth at the same time will be transformative for our agency. Both are proven leaders with a history of driving client success across a variety of industries. We’re thrilled to have them join as we continue to expand our capabilities and invest in the future.”

These are both new positions at the 85-person agency. Rivas' direct reports include the COO, ECD, CFO and Director of Talent, as well as Berk in his new role as CMO. For her part, Rivas will report to Source Marketing’s CEO Derek Correia.

As President, Rivas is responsible for driving brand value and growth on behalf of the agency and its clients with focus on developing and implementing vision and strategic plan for future success. Most recently, Rivas was Managing Director at Havas Worldwide New York, where she was responsible for overall agency management and culture as well as primary oversight for through-the-line communications on both Dos Equis and Liberty Mutual Insurance.

In his role as CMO, Berk is responsible for managing and directing new and existing client growth, as well as articulating the agency’s positioning, development and growth agenda. Over the coming months, he will be building out a new department. Previously, he was SVP, Chief Marketing Officer at Big Fuel Communications, where he led the pitch strategies and overall presentations for new business wins including Aflac, Sally Hansen, Carnival & T-Mobile.

"The market has changed dramatically in recent years, which has afforded many of the ‘rules’ to be broken," says Correia. "We think it’s an exciting time in the industry and we are eager to take full advantage. Hiring Kersten and Seth stacks the deck in our favor, and we are thrilled that we were able to attract them both. Talent wins in this business, and these are two of the best at what they do."

The arrival of Rivas and Berk is the latest in a series of corporate changes within the agency. In February, John Dunn joined as VP of Sports and Entertainment and more recently, the agency debuted new work for clients Bic Lighters and Eight O’Clock Coffee.

MDC Partners acquired a majority stake in the agency in October 1998 .