Key Talent Acquisitions Difference-Maker for MARS

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Forging new paths is nothing new for MARS Advertising. Founded in 1973, the firm established its expertise years before shopper marketing became one of the fastest growing sectors of the marketing communications business. Today, MARS has twice earned the title of No. 1 shopper marketing firm* in the United States.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100416/DA88222)

The agency has not taken success lightly, instead focusing efforts over the past year on preparing for a new chapter in its history. During 2009, MARS intentionally employed a talent-focused strategy to expand its team by acquiring or promoting seasoned shopper marketing professionals.

New COO

The agency's efforts were led by the appointment of Rob Rivenburgh as chief operating officer. In his new role, Rivenburgh will lead overall operations including client services, regional offices and communication planning.

Rivenburgh has already begun to set a new course for MARS, working with his leadership team to build upon CEO Ken Barnett's legacy to craft a new vision for the agency. "Our thinking is sharp, our ideas are fresh. And with the best people in the business, MARS will continue to pioneer smarter and faster methods to help brands fuel their leadership performance," said Barnett.

Expansion of leadership team

In addition to Rivenburgh's new role, the agency also announced the addition of two vice presidents including:

• Sue Remes, vice president, MARS Luxury Division. Remes joins the company's new division with an extensive and successful background in the personal care industry including leadership roles with The Aveda Corporation and Estee' Lauder.
• Eric Bergh, vice president, director, Cincinnati. Bergh joins the company with more than 23 years of experience including selling and servicing CPG brand management and promotion personnel. Before joining the company, Bergh worked as vice president and Walmart Team Leader for PromoWorks. His expertise lies in account management and new business development.
• Liz Crawford, senior vice president of strategic planning, Purchase, N.Y. Crawford's 20+ years of experience have encompassed strategy and planning, as well as client-side brand management. Her concept and new product launch, Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner, won the Edison Award for New Products. During her stint at Iconoculture, she created future-forward white papers and presentations, as well as custom scenarios. Most recently she was creating shopper marketing strategies at TracyLocke .

The agency's growth strategy also includes the addition of nine marketing directors. The appointments include:

• Yvette London, on-site marketing director at Campbell Soup Company in Camden, N.J. London has 20 years of experience working at several agencies and as an independent consultant.
• Mary Casperson leads the Morton Salt account from the firm's Chicago office. Casperson has more than 13 years of experience. Her expertise in multi-channel strategies, brand launches and consumer promotions was honed while serving as a retail marketing manager for OfficeMax and marketing analyst at Washington Mutual.
• Alyse Kramarow supports the agency's Colgate-Palmolive account. She comes to MARS with nine years of consumer promotions and marketing experience. She is based in Purchase, N.Y.
• Brian Castles is responsible for the Home, Hardware and Dollar Channels. Castles comes to MARS' Atlanta office with experience as a brand development manager at The Home Depot.
• Julianne Vendley is responsible for the agency's Kroger team. Based in Cincinnati, Vendley comes to MARS with experience in the consumer packaged goods industry; most recently as national account manager for the Kroger account at The JM Smucker Company.
• Gia Rosenberg leads the CVS/pharmacy account from Boston. She brings more than eight years of experience to the MARS team in corporate marketing including previous roles with CVS, Dunkin Donuts and TracyLocke.
• Newland Yang brings tremendous knowledge of the retail industry to the agency's Minneapolis office, having previously worked as a marketing manager for Walmart, focusing on the retailer's beauty and personal care categories and as an advertising and merchandising coordinator for Target.

About MARS

Founded in 1973, MARS Advertising, Inc., has twice been named the No. 1 shopper marketing firm in the United States – for both 2008 and 2009. Working with high-profile brands and retailers, the firm has more than 300 employees in 10 offices throughout North America. The agency's field-based retail team, over 100 strong, provides its clients credible presence in retailer headquarter markets, strategic programs development and activation support, extending the reach of a brand's shopper marketing team in a complementary manner. For more information about MARS, go to www.marsusa.com.

* The Hub's Second Annual Shopper Marketing Excellence report, www.hubmagazine.com, has once again named MARS Advertising as the No. 1 shopper marketing agency.

SOURCE MARS Advertising, Inc.