• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, 6 hours ago

Dennis Holt, a pioneer in the fledgling field of independent media services agencies, died Thursday. He was 88.

Holt most recently served as chairman of U.S. International Media (USIM), the second independent media services agency (founded in 2004), years after selling his first -- Western International Media -- to Interpublic in 1995. By then, Western had become the biggest independent in the U.S. and ultimately was used by Interpublic to form its Initiative Media media services network.

Holt, who began his media services career in the 1960s working for one of the first -- U.S. Media International -- drew on that name when forming USIM.

Just last month, Holt and USIM's senior management unveiled yet another progression in its evolution, forming holding company Kingstree Ventures, which includes USIM, as well as half a dozen more specialized media shops, with an ambition to diversify and expand over time.

Holt was "never one to slow down," USIM notes in a memoriam published by the agency.

In fact, his whole life has been like a Horatio Alger story, and in 1998, he was even named that year's Horatio Alger Award recipient by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans.

To his friends, former colleagues and some trade reporters, Holt would routinely and diligently make check-in phone calls, often referring to himself as "Uncle Dennis," mainly just to stay in touch with the people who mattered to him.

"Dennis’ legacy lives not only in the company he founded, but in the culture, he nurtured: bold, principled, and deeply human. His belief in the power of innovation and meaningful relationships shaped every facet of USIM, and that spirit continues to guide how we serve our clients and partners today," USIM notes in its memoriam," adding: "His values remain the foundation of who we are, and as we honor his memory, we move forward with pride – led by a seasoned leadership team and united by the vision he so powerfully set in motion."