• by Larissa Faw , June 1, 2015

MMI Agency has a new leader. Benjamin Spiegel is joining the Houston-based agency as CEO coming from WPP's Catalyst/Group M in Boston where he managed 75 brands for client Procter & Gamble. 

Spiegel will focus on developing the agency's digital expertise, as well as expand its client roster. The privately-held agency has more than 80 full-time employees with a client base that includes Allstate, AIG, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Shell. 

MMI’s 2014 revenues were $20.5 million, reflecting a 21% increase over the previous year, according to the agency. 

Spiegel replaces founder Cindy Marion, who remains company owner and president and will now shift her responsibilities toward strategic planning, cultural leadership, agency management, and development of the executive team. 

“We want to bring the very best skills to our clients, the very best opportunities to our employees, and the very best performance – in a marketing and advertising agency – to the city of Houston,” Marion said. “So, we are always on the lookout for talent that helps our team to be even better. Benjamin is known for the highest level in strategic thinking and digital transformation, and his addition to our leadership team reflects the digital trajectory that the industry is on.” 

Spiegel's previous experience managing P&G's diverse portfolio of brands will serve him well as leader of the agency. Most recently, he served as vice president of innovation responsible for P&G's digital footprint in the U.S.  

“MMI Agency is a special kind of mid-sized agency with the ability to be agile and nimble in a marketplace that is changing quickly, where consumer behavior is constantly evolving and new technologies are emerging,” Spiegel said. “We believe there is a huge national opportunity for MMI Agency to create and activate innovative, integrated campaigns that deliver high-impact results more effectively than larger, less flexible agencies can produce.”