STEVE MCCLELLAN

Articles by Stephen All articles by Stephen

• Havas Health Appoints 2 Senior Strategy Execs in MAD on 09/15/2025
  

  Christina Stoddard is named executive vice president, head of strategy and Ayesha Walawalker is the new Chief Strategy Officer for Havas Lynx UK.

• S4 Capital Downgrades 2025 Outlook After Tough First Half in MAD on 09/15/2025
  

  Company shares on the London Exchange were down nearly 14% in afternoon trading on news of the earnings report.

• QuikTrip Awards Laughlin Constable Media, Creative AOR Duties in MAD on 09/12/2025
  

  The convenience store chain, based in Tulsa, OK, spent an estimated $35 million on measured media in 2024 according to agency research firm COMvergence.

• Elite Media's 'Keep It 100 Pitch' in MAD on 09/12/2025
  

  The competition invites entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators who are ready to "flip the script, shake the table, and bring their vision to life to pitch their idea."

• WPP Names Frohlich Chief Marketing & Corporate Affairs Officer in MAD on 09/12/2025
  

  Frohlich rejoined WPP earlier this summer as director of communications and corporate affairs, succeeding Chris Wade who stepped down after 13 years in the role.

• Stagwell Names Aronson VP-Corporate Affairs in MAD on 09/11/2025
  

  The company said Aronson will focus on developing integrated communications and reputation strategies for clients across industries, while also shaping the network's thought leadership on reputation and the evolving media landscape.

• Dentsu Teams With Index Exchange, Chalice AI For 'NextGen' Programmatic in MAD on 09/11/2025
  

  Under the new arrangement, Index Exchange becomes Dentsu's primary SSP partner across key European markets, and Chalice will enhance the offering with a set of AI bidding agents.

• Publix Taps Agency Known For Media Assignment in Accounts on the Move on 09/11/2025
  

• WPP Media Revamps UK Management Structure in MAD on 09/10/2025
  

  In the U.K. (as with the U.S.), individual CEO titles are being done away with, and those execs are taking on the new titles and responsibilities.

• Brainlabs Names Metric Theory Co-Founder Edwards Chief Product Officer in MAD on 09/10/2025
  

  Edwards co-founded Metric Theory, scaling it from a startup to an agency managing $400 million in annual digital ad spend across more than 100 B2B, tech, and eCommerce clients before its 2020 acquisition by S4 Capital.

Comments by Stephen All comments by Stephen

• Interpublic's R/GA Taken Private By Truelink Capital by Steve McClellan (MAD on 03/03/2025)
  

  Good question, Scott. Not disclosed so far. 

• International Advertising Association Establishes North American Chapter by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 03/17/2023)
  

  Michael, the IAA has had a New York chapter but has never had a North America chapter. This will encompass all of the US, Canada and Mexico, according to the group. Thank you for rasing the point as the article should have provided that background. 

• How Much Does Gun Advertising Contribute To All The Killing? by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 06/01/2022)
  

  Steve, here is a link to the NYT story referrenced in the Whitman column. It does not show the videogame type ads described in the piece. It does link to a Daniel Defense ad featuring children. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/business/daniel-defense-rifle-texas-shooting-gun.html?searchResultPosition=1

• New Era At Accenture Interactive As Droga Is Poised To Take The Reins by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/23/2021)
  

  Oops, thanks for pointing that out John.

• 4A's Creates Agency Review Participation Agreement by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/24/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, I think you're right--an effort to make clients aware agencies have major issues with the current process, particularly when the client doesn't retain professional help with the search. No power per se. 

• Agency Review Activity Spikes After Quiet 2020 by Steve McClellan (MAD on 07/09/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, the $544 million figure is a net figure that does take into account losses. No doubt marketers are pressing for lower fees/prices whereever they can find them, with all suppliers. But the spike probably does reflect the fact that marketers put off reviews last year to deal with other more pressing COVID-related issues. 

• Imagine A Pro Sports Team Called The 'New York Jews' by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 07/13/2020)
  

  Ed, I think the hockey team has a claim on the Capitals name there, although St. Louis had both a baseball Cardinals and a football Cardinals for some time. To your broader point, yeah, there are a lot options for non-offensive names. 

• Despite Rumors To The Contrary, Manly Men Drink Rose by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/06/2017)
  

  Thanks Nicholas, as editor of this column I should have caught that. Appreciate that you did. 

• Brands Failing To Provide Quality Training In Media Skills by Steve McClellan (MAD on 10/28/2016)
  

  It is J.R., although it's usually not referred to as 'educatiing' and frequently it is people below the c suite. But often agencies meet with clients to 'brief' them on this or that issue. Which makes sense given that the former are supposed to be experts in the field. 

• Agencies React To Finger-Pointing, 4As Calls ANA Report Anonymous, One-Sided by Steve McClellan (MAD on 06/07/2016)
  

  Thanks for catching that Michael, now fixed.

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