• by David Kaplan , September 21, 2004

Media veteran Fred Sattler has left Doner Advertising for Omnicom Group's PHD Detroit in the new position of executive vice president, general manager.

In this role, which will begin October 11, Sattler will be responsible for leading strategic planning, media research and consumer insight development, and PHD Detroit's understanding of interactive technologies. He will also drive business development and help develop a system of "best practices." At Doner's Southfield, Mich. location, where he was most recently executive vice president and Chief Media Officer, Sattler built and grew a 190-person team that handled over $1 billion in media assignments for clients such as May Company, Six Flags, Mazda, and Outback Steakhouse. He joined Doner in 1999.

Prior to his stint at Doner, Sattler worked at TBWA Chiat/Day in both its San Francisco and Los Angeles offices. While there, he was credited with the creation and heading of a new department within the agency that brought together the disciplines of account planning and media research/planning. At TBWA Chiat/Day, his clients included Levi's, Nissan, Infiniti, Sony PlayStation, Polygram/Gramercy Pictures, and more. Earlier in his career, Sattler served as Manager, Media Resources at BBDO in Southfield, MI.

At PHD, he will report to Mike O'Malley, president of PHD Detroit. Sattler is the first senior hire made by O'Malley since he was named president in May. As executive vice president, general manager, Sattler will become a member of PHD Detroit's leadership team. "We are delighted to have Fred join our agency," said O'Malley in a statement. "His background and experience in account planning will enhance our service offering and bring us closer to our vision of becoming the most capable, progressive, creative idea-driven planning organization on the planet." He added, "Fred is well-known throughout the Detroit community. Our clients are absolutely thrilled."