• by Fern Siegel , October 29, 2009

Independent media agency TargetCast tcm has named media strategy expert Al Benoit vice president, account director. The former Mindshare director will oversee communications planning for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare's Advil businesses.

He reports to Bruce Fagerstrom, senior vice president, group account director.

Audrey Siegel, co-founder and director of client services at TargetCast tcm, called Benoit an "excellent strategist," adept at leveraging consumer insights and market research to strengthen brands.

Previously, Benoit, a 12-year veteran of strategic planning and client service experience, had stints at P&G, UBS PaineWebber and Reynolds. Most recently, he served as group planning director, partner for Mindshare, where he led strategy for American Express and Merrill Lynch. He was also a partner at Church & Dwight.

TargetCast's roster list includes hotels.com, Expedia.com, New York Life and 1-800-Flowers.com. Founded by industry executives Steve Farella and Audrey Siegel, Inc. ranked it among the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.