Wunderman Names Gary S. Laben as Its Global Chief Data Officer

NEW YORK, March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Wunderman announces that Gary S. Laben has been named the agency's Global Chief Data Officer and is now responsible for expanding the company's data assets, data management and analytics practices to provide insights-rich creative marketing support to Wunderman's global clients. Laben will report to Mark Read, CEO of Wunderman, and will remain as Chief Executive Officer of KBM Group—Wunderman's data, insights and marketing technology arm.

Working alongside Global Chief Creative Officer, Lincoln Bjorkman, Laben will ensure that data-driven insights and creative are aligned consistently throughout Wunderman, and that best practices in data, data management and cutting-edge analytics tools and techniques are adhered to worldwide.

"Our strategy is to combine creativity and data to drive results for our clients. We do it by helping our clients get control of their data, harnessing the insights it reveals and developing relevant marketing that speaks to individuals — to their unique interests, on their terms," says Read. "Today, with the growth of platforms like Facebook and Twitter and the explosion of data, the world is coming full circle and all marketing is becoming what Lester Wunderman termed 'direct marketing,' over 50 years ago."

Wunderman's existing data capabilities, housed within KBM Group, include the management of nearly 800 million consumer profiles; the collection of more than 12 billion SKUs annually; 5 proprietary analytic platforms; Impact^®, a comprehensive data-driven consumer engagement platform; and the ability to handle more than 2,300 terabytes of data. In addition, Wunderman's global enterprise-scaled data management platform, Zipline DMP™, acts as a data hub connecting massive amounts of data across offline and online sources, including social media such as Facebook and Twitter. 

"Wunderman's extensive global footprint and well-honed data management capabilities are a unique set of assets among agencies," says Laben. "By more closely integrating these assets, we will bring world-class creative marketing solutions to our clients, and strengthen their competitive advantage. Our commitment is to ensure that every client has access to the creative and experiential value that data provides."   

Laben's entire career has been devoted to data and data management in the marketing industry. Prior to joining KBM Group in 2000, he served as vice president of marketing and business development at Experian and established a track record of acquisition, data expansion and business development. He has been awarded the Silver Apple from the Direct Marketing Club of New York for outstanding contributions to direct and interactive marketing, the Edward N. Mayer, Jr. Education Leadership Award from the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation, and Direct Marketer of the Year by the Taylor Institute for Direct Marketing.

About Wunderman

Consistently ranked among the world's top digital, CRM and mobile agencies, Wunderman delivers deeply connected brand experiences, consumer engagements, data and insights, and healthcare marketing solutions that build brands and businesses. We blend creative, data and technology to connect customers and brands. Founded by Lester Wunderman in 1958, the agency now has 175 offices in 60 countries. Best Buy, Citibank, Coca-Cola, Ford, Microsoft, Pfizer, Telefónica, Shell, UnitedHealth Group and leading local brands are among our clients. Wunderman is part of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY) and Young & Rubicam Group. Learn more at www.wunderman.com and @wunderman.

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