Marketing Industry Visionary Jon Bond Joins Social Media Marketing Agency Big Fuel as CEO

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Social media marketing and branded content agency Big Fuel Communications announced today the appointment of Jon Bond as Chief Executive Officer and equity partner.  Avi Savar, current CEO and founder, will focus on the agency's award-winning content development and thought leadership, while continuing to drive its vision.

Big Fuel experienced rapid revenue and staffing growth in 2010, servicing global blue chip clients such as General Motors, McDonalds, Fisher-Price, Gore-Tex, Budweiser, and Colgate-Palmolive.  At General Motors, the company was appointed social media agency of record for their Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC divisions. To continue winning and servicing top tier clients, Big Fuel will grow to over 200 professionals by early this year. "Social Media has become a major priority for big brands and they require a dedicated social media agency on their roster," said Mr. Savar, "Social Media is a new seat at the marketing table and requires a dramatically different skill-set from existing agency partners."  

To aid with further growth, Big Fuel has retained New York-based investment bank The Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc (JEGI).  The firm will help Big Fuel raise capital as they enter new markets and secure their position as the leading global Social Media Agency.  "Big Fuel is an agency of influence, using proprietary channels to attract massive audiences to unique and engaging social content," said JEGI Director Amir Akhavan, "Jon is a visionary executive who will continue to drive the company's exponential growth."

Voted number four in AdWeek's Executive of the Decade poll, Mr. Bond has a storied career in founding and growing new media companies. He co-founded Kirshenbaum and Bond (KB) in the late 1980s, signaling the beginning of the modern integrated agency era. Through his leadership, KB grew to one of the world's largest independent agencies with more than $1 billion in billings when it was sold in 2009. KB's impressive client roster included Delta, Target, BMW, Wendy's, Victoria's Secret, Capital One, and Tommy Hilfiger. During the past year, Mr. Bond has served as advisor and investor to several new media firms including; Klout, a social media influence tool; Victors and Spoils, a crowd source agency; Data Xu, a leading DSP; media6degrees, a social targeting company; and Crimson Hexagon, a social media sentiment analysis tool.

"I immediately saw the opportunity to take Big Fuel to the global stage and make it the leading social media agency brand worldwide," said Mr. Bond. "I have worked over the last year to develop a new agency model that takes advantage of today's technology and media landscape. I met with more than 200 companies during this time, narrowing my focus and formulating the right approach. Putting social media at the center of it all is the right strategy, one that Big Fuel embodies. With its top talent, unparalleled content and unique social distribution model, Big Fuel is perfectly positioned as the base of a new global agency network."

Avi Savar will focus on content creation, storytelling and thought-leadership, returning to his roots and the principles he founded the company on. "I will ensure Big Fuel's mission will always be about telling great stories and helping brands connect with audiences in social media through authentic and engaging content," said Mr. Savar.  "I will continue to push leading-edge thinking and ensure the company maintains the highest standards of creativity, credibility and innovation."

"We wanted to bring in an industry veteran to effectively manage our explosive growth, bring in new business, and execute on our strategy," continued Savar. "Jon's skill set is uniquely suited for the position -- he built one of the most reputable integrated marketing companies of our time, understands social media, and is one of the best non-traditional marketers in the business."

Managing Partner Mike McGraw will shift from agency operations to his original passion, content distribution and syndication. "Avi and I built a robust and scalable social media platform," said Mr. McGraw. "Jon will take Big Fuel to the global stage with his deep domain expertise, expansive network, and senior-level leadership. He truly understands the power of social media and its growing influence over consumer decisions."

For more information about Big Fuel's Content to Commerce™ approach to consumer engagement through social media marketing and branded content distribution, visit www.bigfuel.com

About Big Fuel:

Big Fuel is a full-service marketing and communications company based in New York that takes brands from Content to Commerce: a unique approach that bridges "people stories" to "product stories" through social media and branded content. Big Fuel is one part marketing agency, building brands through consumer insight; one part entertainment company, creating content that people love; and one part distribution company, driving guaranteed results by delivering content to targeted audiences. The company works with major brands, leading agencies, publishers and platforms to help marketers achieve true consumer engagement. Visit Big Fuel at www.bigfuel.com.

SOURCE Big Fuel Communications