STEVE MCCLELLAN

Articles by Stephen All articles by Stephen

• Report: FTC Weighs Ad 'Boycott' Ban As Condition Of Omnicom/IPG Merger in MAD on 06/13/2025
  

  "The New York Times" reported that the agreement (not yet finalized) would be part of a consent decree that the FTC has proposed to the holding companies in ongoing negotiations related to the commission's antitrust investigation of the proposed transaction.

• DAVID Taps Honegger To Lead European Expansion in MAD on 06/12/2025
  

  He joined the agency in 2020 as managing director David Miami and was promoted to U.S. Chief Growth Officer in 2023. He's credited with securing numerous clients for the agency's New York office including Supercell, Clif Bar (Mondelez), IKEA, and Cointreau.

• With Influencer Assets, Publicis Will Promote A Different 'Lion' At Next Week's Cannes Festival in MAD on 06/12/2025
  

  It's not mascot Leo - it's a real lion, George, who's a sensation in wildlife circles. The company will aim to make George even more famous around the world through an influencer campaign with "big game" reach.

• Publicis Wins Mars' $1.7B Global Media in MAD on 06/11/2025
  

  The appointment is another blow to WPP, which was the primary media incumbent. It's the company's third major account loss in recent months where Publicis picked up the accounts.

• Horizon Sunsets 'Night Market,' Rebrands As 'Horizon Commerce' in MAD on 06/11/2025
  

  Founded in 2020, the rebranding accompanies expanded capabilities including channel management, business outcomes dashboards, and closer alignment with Horizon's retail media and digital experience platform NEON, which the firm said is at the core of the offering.

• Havas Media Launches Health Equity Marketplace in MAD on 06/10/2025
  

  The company is partnering with healthcare ad-tech firm DeepIntent on the project.

• Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Unveils 'He Got Money' Campaign in MAD on 06/09/2025
  

  Main idea anchoring the multicultural campaign: Hybrids save big on gas so people have more to spend on "life's little luxuries without breaking bank."

• WPP Downgrades Global Ad Growth Forecast To 6% in MAD on 06/09/2025
  

  Despite the macroeconomic turbulence, a WPP Media report upgrades its US advertising projection this year to a gain of 5.6% to $404.7 billion.

• ServiceNow Taps Dentsu X For Media Duties in MAD on 06/09/2025
  

  The company previously worked with PMG who was named global media AOR a year ago. It was not clear if PMG defended the account.

• WPP's Read Stepping Down, Successor Search Begins in MAD on 06/09/2025
  

  An announcement characterized the pending departure as Read's decision to retire-he's been with the company for more than 30 years.

Comments by Stephen All comments by Stephen

• Interpublic's R/GA Taken Private By Truelink Capital by Steve McClellan (MAD on 03/03/2025)
  

  Good question, Scott. Not disclosed so far. 

• International Advertising Association Establishes North American Chapter by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 03/17/2023)
  

  Michael, the IAA has had a New York chapter but has never had a North America chapter. This will encompass all of the US, Canada and Mexico, according to the group. Thank you for rasing the point as the article should have provided that background. 

• How Much Does Gun Advertising Contribute To All The Killing? by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 06/01/2022)
  

  Steve, here is a link to the NYT story referrenced in the Whitman column. It does not show the videogame type ads described in the piece. It does link to a Daniel Defense ad featuring children. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/business/daniel-defense-rifle-texas-shooting-gun.html?searchResultPosition=1

• New Era At Accenture Interactive As Droga Is Poised To Take The Reins by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/23/2021)
  

  Oops, thanks for pointing that out John.

• 4A's Creates Agency Review Participation Agreement by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/24/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, I think you're right--an effort to make clients aware agencies have major issues with the current process, particularly when the client doesn't retain professional help with the search. No power per se. 

• Agency Review Activity Spikes After Quiet 2020 by Steve McClellan (MAD on 07/09/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, the $544 million figure is a net figure that does take into account losses. No doubt marketers are pressing for lower fees/prices whereever they can find them, with all suppliers. But the spike probably does reflect the fact that marketers put off reviews last year to deal with other more pressing COVID-related issues. 

• Imagine A Pro Sports Team Called The 'New York Jews' by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 07/13/2020)
  

  Ed, I think the hockey team has a claim on the Capitals name there, although St. Louis had both a baseball Cardinals and a football Cardinals for some time. To your broader point, yeah, there are a lot options for non-offensive names. 

• Despite Rumors To The Contrary, Manly Men Drink Rose by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/06/2017)
  

  Thanks Nicholas, as editor of this column I should have caught that. Appreciate that you did. 

• Brands Failing To Provide Quality Training In Media Skills by Steve McClellan (MAD on 10/28/2016)
  

  It is J.R., although it's usually not referred to as 'educatiing' and frequently it is people below the c suite. But often agencies meet with clients to 'brief' them on this or that issue. Which makes sense given that the former are supposed to be experts in the field. 

• Agencies React To Finger-Pointing, 4As Calls ANA Report Anonymous, One-Sided by Steve McClellan (MAD on 06/07/2016)
  

  Thanks for catching that Michael, now fixed.

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