Founder and Managing Partner Ed Koller

The 2011 trend of media, advertising and information companies rededicating themselves to finding the best talent available continues unabated in 2012.  But HSK does notice one interesting twist, very possibly the start of a trend that we endorse.  Some clients, often bogged down by lengthy processes and multiple interviewers who want every box checked before committing to a candidate, are instead opting for a "best athlete available" approach.  It is recruitment through a different lens:  Rather than focus on the list of specifications, clients focus on the hard-to-find combination of abilities to pivot easily across all functions in a fast-changing media landscape, to innovate and articulate vision, and to think instinctively in terms of brand and business extensions.  In other words, an executive who can work creatively within a competitive business context, and has the mental dexterity to leap from one vexing challenge to an unrelated one.  Not to mention the emotional intelligence to work effectively with the media company people selling mobile as well as the user-experience leader.  It's usually one of the smartest people in the room, the strategist who also gets stuff done.  That's the state-of-the-art in recruiting in 2012, and the competition for those who can add the most value is fiercer than ever before.

There are interesting developments occurring on the advertising side, too. Advertising agencies are creating Business Marketing Consulting practices as separate divisions, attracting talent from pure marketing consultancies, as well as deepening their ranks with highly skilled consumer account planners.

 

Some recent highlights from HSK's search activity:

Atlantic Media Company has hired Andy Sareyan as the President of its National Journal Group. He had been President, Consumer Brands/Chief Brand Officer at the Meredith Corporation. Atlantic Media Company has also tapped Kevin Delaney as Editor-in-Chief to launch a website in the global business space. He had been managing editor of WSJ Online.

Talking Points Memo hired Bob Edmunds as VP of Sales. He had been at Metro US as Director of Major Accounts.

Lorenz Hassenstein is SVP/GM, Trade Shows at the Advertising Specialty Institute.  Lorenz had been VP of Merchandise Mart Properties.

Bob Benz is Hanley Wood's new President of Content, joining from his role at Clarity media group as Chief Digital Officer.

Michael Wolfe was hired as Publisher of The Week. His prior role was Publisher of Men's Journal.

Bruce Brandfon is the VP National Sales of the Philadelphia Media Network Multimedia LLC.  He was VP Publisher of Scientific American.  HSK had completed four searches for Executive Producers at PMNM in late 2011.

David Evans is the new SVP, Content and Experience of the Direct Marketing Association.  David had been SVP, Events at Gerson Lehrman Group.

Momentum Worldwide/NY has named Kevin Gosselin as their National Group Creative Director for Coca-Cola and American Express. He was Creative Director, Integer/Denver prior.

Two hires were made at Hill Holliday/Boston. Ben Huser and Ibraheem Youssef are Associate Creative Directors at the agency. Ben Huser was formerly ACD at Zimmerman/Miami and Ibraheem Youssef was ACD at Boston/Toronto.

Martha Stewart Omnimedia also made two hires, both Integrated Account Directors.   Christine Vystrcil joined MSO from her role as VP of Sales at Premier Retail Network. Debra Brenman came from More Magazine, where she was Account Manager.

Michael Richardson is Associate Creative Director for Cramer-Krasselt/Chicago, coming from TBWEA/Chiat Day/ Los Angeles, where he was Associate Creative Director.