• March 16, 2005

Following several months of negotiations, Mark Nathanson has joined Grey Global Group's MediaCom as vice president, new business director.

Nathanson was most recently principal and founder of the new business consultant, ReverseReview, which served ad agencies that were scouting for prospective clients. Before that, Nathanson most recently led business development for Rapp Collins. Prior to that, he did the same for WPP Group's OgilvyOne.

Now that WPP is buying Grey Global--and with it, MediaCom--Nathanson said he's ready to return to the fold. Asked whether the merger and the uncertainty that might follow served as a caution in terms of taking the MediaCom post, Nathanson said he had no worries.

"It was the exact opposite of concern," said Nathanson, who officially started at MediaCom on March 7. "My feeling is--from working at WPP when I was at OgilvyOne--that I'm certain MediaCom will be a terrific fit there. The merger was a positive, in terms of my decision to come here."

As for the job itself, Nathanson will assist Jim Porcarelli, executive vice president, chief marketing officer, whose job encompasses new business.

"Jim has a lot of client responsibilities, such as handling Diageo and other brands, so Mark's arrival will free him up somewhat," a MediaCom spokeswoman noted.

--D.K.