The Mars Agency Appoints Elise Wilfinger to New Corporate Strategy and Marketing Role

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mars Agency announces the addition of Elise Wilfinger as EVP, Corporate Strategy & Brand Officer, a new role reporting to Rob Rivenburgh, CEO, North America.  Wilfinger will be based in Mars' New York office and is a resident of Ridgefield, CT.

Wilfinger will be responsible for driving strategic change at the agency, growing its industry profile and reputation, creating corporate brand and marketing strategies, and overseeing best-in-class execution.  Her role is central to the agency's mission to expand and transform its services, capabilities and talent to meet changing client needs and agency growth goals.

Most recently, Wilfinger was Chief Client Officer and COO at Home Team Marketing, a New York media company that connects national brands with local families and high school students. She brings over 20 years of agency experience, most recently with Ryan Partnership, an Epsilon company. During her 15 years at Ryan, she held senior roles in client service, business development and client brand strategy. As Senior Partner and Ryan's first CMO, she led growth strategy efforts to help the firm become the largest independent, full-service agency network in North America. Her team handled all business development and successfully launched the agency's new proposition, marketing and PR.  Wilfinger also maintained responsibility for leading client engagements, including Chase, Nestle Waters, Acco, 3M, Campbell's, Nabisco, JJ Merck, Aetna, Lufthansa Airlines, Pfizer and Energizer.

"I am thrilled to welcome Elise to our executive leadership team," said Rob Rivenburgh, CEO North America at The Mars Agency.  "Her expertise in brand marketing, CRM, strategy and digital will help us continue to expand our capabilities beyond shopper, accelerate growth and build momentum.  She is passionate about her craft and shares my enthusiasm and vision for the future of shopper and consumer marketing, as well as the impact it can have for clients across verticals. Elise will be integral in helping us transform our agency to be even more strategic and client-focused."

Prior to Ryan, Wilfinger led large agency teams at McCann Relationship Marketing, Digitas and Ogilvy & Mather Direct, providing strategy, creative inspiration and account support for clients American Express, The House of Seagram, Nestle/Carnation and AT&T.

About The Mars Agency

The Mars Agency is a full-service, global shopper and consumer marketing leader, operating offices in Bentonville, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York, Oakland and Seattle, as well as Toronto and London. For nearly 45 years, the agency has been consistently recognized as a thought-leader in the shopper space, attracting an impressive client base which includes Walmart, Hallmark, Coca-Cola, T-Mobile, Campbell's and Pfizer.

To learn more about The Mars Agency, please visit http://www.themarsagency.com/.

For more information, contact:
Rick Leonard
RCL Communications
203.434.7734

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SOURCE The Mars Agency

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