Publicis Seattle Names Melissa Nelson as President

Publicis promoted Melissa Nelson to president of its Seattle office, Adweek reports.

In the newly-created position, Nelson will act as senior business lead for all accounts run out of the Seattle office, while reporting  directly to Publicis Worldwide North American CEO Andrew Bruce.

Nelson joined Publicis Seattle as executive vice president, managing partner last December and has led the agency’s T-Mobile account.

Melissa’s leadership on T-Mobile and her passion for their brand and business will be enriched in her new post,” Bruce said in a statement. “Additionally, now her expertise and leadership will extend to all clients and the talented individuals who fuel our agency here in Seattle.”

Before joining Publicis, Nelson spent a year with Droga5 New York as group account director on the Motorola account (which the agency resigned in May), following three years as group brand director with 72andSunny L.A. Before that she spent four years as an account director with Goodby Silverstein & Partners, working with brands such as HP, Target and Chevrolet.

“Diving into and leading the T-Mobile business has been a phenomenal experience. It is an amazing brand, with a really strong POV,” Nelson said. “T-Mobile is a brand, and business, which is pivotal not only to the Seattle marketplace, but to our agency. I am proud to continue to partner with T-Mobile and additionally, to now lead, grow and expand Publicis in Seattle.”

Publicis Groupe Forms New ‘Mega Region’

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We can’t say that the term “mega region” is embedded in our lexicon, but that’s what they’re calling Publicis North America, the new entity that combines Publicis USA and Publicis Canada to create the largest Publicis Groupe region outside of the holding company’s hub in France.

Eleven-year Publicis vet and Publicis USA boss Susan Gianinno has now assumed the role of chairman of the newly expanded region, focusing on global/regional clients and “priority global initiatives” while working in tandem with recently appointed Publicis Worldwide CEO, Arthur Sadoun. Along with her new chairman role, Gianinno will also be heading to Harvard next for a one-year fellowship. Meanwhile, Andrew Bruce, who has spent the last 15 years at Publicis Canada, where he most recently served as president/CEO, will now take on the CEO post of the newly formed Publicis North America.

Regarding the new moves, Publicis Groupe chief Maurice Levy says in a statement, “This is a wonderful and very prestigious appointment for Susan and for us. I am personally very proud of her and expect that she will bring even more to our people and clients during, and after, this experience. I am sure that under this new team leadership, Susan and Andrew, this new mega region will generate great work for our clients and formidable growth.”

 

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