• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, April 27, 2009

Publicis' two top media executives, VivaKi co-managing directors Jack Klues and David Kenny, were two of the highest paid media services executives on Madison Avenue during 2008, but Kenny earned slightly more, owing to the payout of a retention bonus stemming from Publicis' 2007 acquisition of Digitas for $1.3 billion. Klues was paid total compensation (salary and bonuses) of $2.52 million for 2008, a decrease of 7% from his 2007 compensation of $2.71 million, according to Publicis' public filing. Kenny earned $2.86 million in 2008.

Publicis did not report compensation for Kenny for 2007, but said that he receives a $1.9 million retention bonus paid annually in three installments through 2009, which help explains his higher earnings than Klues.

The compensation makes Klues and Kenny two of the highest paid media executives in the advertising industry. By comparison, Publicis Chairman-CEO Maurice Levy earned $4.46 million during 2008, a decrease of nearly 6% from his 2007 compensation of $4.72 million.

It's difficult to know how Klues' and Kenny's compensation compares with that of other top media services agency executives, because few are at a high enough board level to require public disclosure, but the highest level disclosed to date, was the $4.28 million WPP paid to GroupM chief Irwin Gotlieb in 2005, which included some long-term deferred compensation.

Publicis said Klues' 2008 bonus reflected his contribution to growth in Publicis Groupe media's revenue and operating margin during 2007 and 2008. Klues most recent employment agreement became effective July 1, 2004.

Publicis said Kenny's bonus reflected growth in Digitas revenue and operating margin for fiscal 2008, as well as his retention bonus. Kenny's most recent employment agreement became effective Jan. 24, 2007.