Brad Fogel Named President, Grey West and Grey Atlanta

NEW YORK, May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Jim Heekin, Chairman and CEO of Grey Group, today announced two promotions at Grey in the United States:

• Brad Fogel, currently Managing Director of Grey West, which includes the San Francisco and Los Angeles offices, has been promoted to President, Grey West.  In addition, he will take on management oversight of Grey Atlanta. A new Managing Director of Grey West will be recruited.

• Sam Hosokawa, currently Senior Vice President, Client Services Director of Grey Atlanta, has been promoted to Managing Director.  He succeeds B.A. Albert, President and Chief Creative Officer for the past two years, who has left the agency to pursue other professional opportunities.

"Brad Fogel is a dynamic leader with an outstanding track record for building brands across the communications spectrum," Jim Heekin said.  "He has been instrumental in our growth and success at Grey West, with such new business wins as the BMW of North America $80 million U.S. regional ad account and the $30 million Reliant Energy business.  Brad's energy, client focus and proven ability to build successful teams and marshal our resources will serve us well in his expanded role."

Heekin continued, "B.A. Albert has our sincere thanks for her contributions to Grey Atlanta and best wishes for the future."

Brad Fogel: A Seasoned Brand Builder

Brad Fogel joined Grey West as Chief Marketing Officer in 2007 and was appointed Managing Director in late 2008.

During his three decades in advertising, Fogel has excelled in every major facet of our business: large multinational agencies, successful regional agencies, cutting-edge creative boutiques and on the client side.

Prior to Grey, Fogel served as Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer of 24 Hour Fitness.  Earlier he had two stints at Publicis & Hal Riney, San Francisco, rising to the post of Senior Vice President, Group Account Director.  He has also held senior management positions at Hill Holiday, FCB, Y&R and Saatchi & Saatchi.

Sam Hosokawa: A Rising Star

Sam Hosokawa joined Grey Atlanta as an Account Director in 2003 and became Senior Vice President, Client Services Director in 2008.  Hosokawa has been instrumental in Grey Atlanta's recent wins of TOTO, Grady Hospitals and Cryovac.

Prior to Grey, Hosokawa served as Business Development Director for IQ Interactive.  Earlier he co-founded Voltage Factory, a technology marketing firm, where he spent four years as Business Development Director and as a senior account manager.  He has also worked at WestWayne in their Interactive/Database group and Initiative Media.  He began his marketing career with MLB's Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization.

Jim Heekin said, "Sam has done an outstanding job and his promotion underscores the talent Grey possesses.  I am confident he and Brad Fogel will take Grey Atlanta to the next level."

About Grey

Grey is the advertising network of Grey Group.  Grey Group ranks among the largest global communications companies. Its parent company is WPP (Nasdaq: WPPGY). Grey Famously Effective Since 1917 serves a blue-chip client roster of many of the world's best known companies: Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, Diageo, Darden Restaurants, Pfizer, Canon, 3M, Eli Lilly, ETrade, NFL, Boehringer Ingelheim J.M. Smucker and T.J. Maxx.  FAST COMPANY named Grey to "The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies" list in 2010. (www.grey.com)

SOURCE Grey