Month: November 2015

“The New Language of Gender” Is the Second Report From the Agency’s Newly-Formed Culture Trends Forecast Report Platform

NEW YORK, NY — (Marketwired) — 11/30/15 — sparks & honey, the New York-based agency that synchronizes brands with culture in the now, next and future, today announced the release of its latest culture forecast, “The New Language of Gender,” which details a “gender revolution” that is taking place and defines the new terminology needed to successfully navigate it. The report is the second one generated by the agency’s newly-formed Culture Forecast Trends Report Platform, which released its inaugural report — “Gen Z 2025: The Final Generation” — last month.

“The New Language of Gender” takes a deep dive into a significant cultural shift on how society perceives gender and sexuality. The report explains that rigid binary genders are giving way to a world of blurred, fluid identities across the gender spectrum — a change that is gaining momentum on social media through memes, viral videos, trends, products and cultural signals. This gender revolution has tremendous implications for society at large as well as the business world, as law, politics, media, tech, marketing and advertising, fashion, design, healthcare, sports and a long list of other industries make necessary changes.

“Gender is no longer a biological determination with a set of pre-ordained behaviors foisted upon us at birth — it’s a personal choice,” says Sean Mahoney, vp, editorial director, sparks & honey. “It is incumbent upon all of us not to question or judge anyone’s gender or sexual identity but to be an ally, requiring the use of a wholly new vocabulary. Words matter. This report is a guide to traversing the sometimes tricky language of a brave new gender fluid world and a clarion call to organizations seeking to connect with and embrace a growing community of gender revolutionaries.”

The report also serves as a dictionary, helping define and shed light on over 20 new gender terms that are appearing with increasing regularity in general parlance and specifically on social media channels. Among the new terms explored are: 

• Cisgender — one whose gender identity aligns with the gender they were assigned at birth
• Transgender — one whose gender identity does not align with the gender they were assigned at birth
• Intersex — one who is born with sex chromosomes, external genitalia, or internal reproductive systems that aren’t considered “standard” for male or female
• Dead name — what some trans people call the name there were assigned at birth before they chose one that better reflects their affirmed gender
• Genderqueer — gender identities that aren’t strictly masculine or feminine… they could be a blend or no gender at all
• Agender — people who do not identify with any gender at all 

In addition to important vocabulary, the report provides valuable information about how gender is formed and firsthand accounts of how the gender spectrum impacts lives from work and finance to business and daily interactions. A preview of the report can be found here.

“The New Language of Gender” comes on the heels of sparks & honey’s “Gen Z 2025: The Final Generation.” This study provides an in-depth glimpse into who Generation Z will be in 2025, including their moral views, relationship preferences, career expectations and financial habits. The young cohort seeks to turn “off” from an increasingly connected world, would rather save money than spend it and expects to have multiple careers by the time they reach 30 years of age. A video snapshot of these and other findings from the report can be found here. 

About sparks & honey

sparks & honey (www.sparksandhoney.com) is a New York-based agency with a mission to open minds and create possibilities in the now, next and future for brands. Employing a disruptive marketing platform and cultural newsroom model, sparks & honey leverages proprietary tools, algorithms and human insights to identify emerging cultural trends and engage brands in relevant and meaningful conversations. sparks & honey leverages the proprietary sparks & honey cultural intelligence system to deliver services in three areas for brands — innovation, cultural insights and content. Named to Ad Age’s 2014 A-List as an “Agency to Watch,” sparks & honey is a part of the DAS Group of Companies.

About the DAS Group of Companies

The DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), is a global group of marketing services companies. DAS includes over 200 companies in the following marketing disciplines: specialty, PR, healthcare, CRM, events, promotional marketing, branding and research. Operating through a combination of networks and regional organizations, DAS serves international, regional, national and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

Source: sparks & honey

DDB Worldwide, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), announced today that it has acquired Grupo ABC, the largest independent advertising and marketing communications group in Brazil.

Grupo ABC’s versatile group of agencies consists of best-in-class brand advertising agencies as well as specialized offerings in public relations, CRM, digital, promotion and events. The group has a diverse network of agencies including DM9 (São Paulo), in minority partnership with DDB; Africa and Loducca, each recognized among the best creative advertising agencies in the world; CDN, a leading public relations agency; Sunset, a specialized digital agency; and Newstyle, a leading promotion and point of sale (POS) company in the country.

“Grupo ABC is widely acknowledged as an outstanding company with impressive creative work and expertise in a broad range of disciplines,” said John Wren, President and CEO of Omnicom Group. “Over the years, Grupo ABC have been great partners of Omnicom and their depth of talent will strengthen our business capabilities not only in Brazil but around the world.” 

Legendary Brazilian advertising leaders Nizan Guanaes and Guga Valente, who will continue in their leadership roles, founded Grupo ABC in 2003. The acquisition strengthens a long-standing historical relationship between both holding companies in the region extending as far back as 1997 when DDB first invested in DM9, today one of the largest and most creatively awarded advertising agencies in Brazil. 

“This is a world of disruption, scale and innovation and Omnicom will empower our companies to compete in times of extraordinary technological changes,“ commented Guga Valente, CEO, Grupo ABC. 

“Omnicom has the most creative and awarded agencies in the world and that is something that really matters to me and to all of us in ABC. Together we will be better prepared to serve our clients with all of the innovation and digital capabilities that modern business are demanding nowadays,” continues Nizan Guanaes, Chairman and Co-founder, Grupo ABC. 

“This partnership will further unite two companies that have long held the same values and creative ambitions,” said Chuck Brymer, CEO of DDB Worldwide. “I have known Nizan and Guga for more than a decade and have sincerely admired their success and influence both in and out of Brazil. It is a tremendous addition to both DDB and Omnicom and we are excited at the opportunity to utilize our combined assets to help our clients generate growth.”

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in Brazil and is expected to close by the first quarter of 2016.

#     #     #

About Grupo ABC

Grupo ABC is the largest Brazilian communications group in Latin America and ranked among the top 25 largest advertising companies in the world. Founded in 2002 by Nizan Guanaes and Guga Valente, Grupo ABC’s network of agencies and marketing services companies now includes Africa, Loducca, Sunset, Newstyle and CDN, among others.

Headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Grupo ABC has 30 locations and more than 2,000 employees serving world-class clients such as Banco Itaú, P&G, J&J, Ambev, Heinz, BR Food, Walmart, Mitsubishi, Vivo, Telefonica, among others. Most recently, Grupo ABC agencies won more than 150 Lions in Cannes. In addition, the agencies have repeatedly won Agencies of the Year by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. In 2014, Africa, one of ABC leading agencies, was appointed Ad Age’s International Agency of the Year.

About DDB

DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world’s largest and most influential advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry’s leading advertising publications and awards shows. The Gunn Report has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency’s clients include Volkswagen, McDonald’s, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and Exxon Mobil, among others.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY.

About Omnicom Group Inc.

Omnicom Group (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company.  Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries. Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.

CONTACT:  

Christie Giera

Director of Corporate Communications, DDB Worldwide

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 212-415-2186

Mark O’Brien to Assume Role of EVP, Omnicom Group

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — DDB Worldwide today announced the appointment of Wendy Clark as the agency’s new President and Chief Executive Officer of North America, effective January 2016. Mark O’Brien, who previously held the title, will take on a new role as Executive Vice President at DDB’s parent company, Omnicom Group.

Widely regarded as a major figure in business and marketing circles, Clark joins DDB from Coca-Cola North America, where she served as President, Sparkling Brands and Strategic Marketing. Previously, she held the role of Senior Vice President, Global Sparkling Brand Center, where she was responsible for the global leadership of all Coca-Cola’s Sparkling brands.

Prior to joining Coca-Cola in 2008, Clark was Senior Vice President, Advertising for AT&T, where she was at the helm of the company’s most ambitious re-branding and advertising in its history with the subsequent mergers of SBC and Cingular.

Clark has won numerous business accolades. In 2009 and 2010, FORTUNE featured her in its “40 Under 40” issue, ranking as the highest woman in 2010 (#15). She was also named one of four “Women to Watch” by FORTUNE. 

“I’ve known Wendy since she was a client at AT&T and she is a game-changer.  She understands the demands facing corporate marketing and the role agencies play in engaging and winning customers,” said Chuck Brymer, Chief Executive Officer of DDB Worldwide. “She is passionate about creativity and a magnet for talent.  We are thrilled that she will be leading DDB in North America.”

Clark said, “It’s been a privilege to add my fingerprints to the millions who have shaped the 129-year legacy of brand Coca-Cola. In that same sense of legacy, I am now delighted to join the talented team at DDB, a brand that traces its own heritage back 66 years to one of the forefathers of advertising, Bill Bernbach. I am excited about the journey ahead and the impact we’ll create together.”

Brymer continued, “Mark leaves DDB North America in excellent health. Under his leadership we have a world-class team in place and a great roster of clients. I want to thank Mark for all of his efforts and wish him well in his new position at Omnicom.” 

ABOUT DDB

DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world’s largest and most influential advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry’s leading advertising publications and awards shows. The Gunn Report has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency’s clients include Volkswagen, McDonald’s, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and Exxon Mobil, among others.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY. 

ABOUT OMNICOM

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries. 

CONTACT:

Christie Giera

Director of Corporate Communications, DDB Worldwide

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 212-415-2186

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ddb-names-wendy-clark-president-and-ceo-of-north-america-300176764.html

SOURCE DDB Worldwide 

Mark O’Brien to Assume Role of EVP, Omnicom Group

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — DDB Worldwide today announced the appointment of Wendy Clark as the agency’s new President and Chief Executive Officer of North America, effective January 2016. Mark O’Brien, who previously held the title, will take on a new role as Executive Vice President at DDB’s parent company, Omnicom Group.

Widely regarded as a major figure in business and marketing circles, Clark joins DDB from Coca-Cola North America, where she served as President, Sparkling Brands and Strategic Marketing. Previously, she held the role of Senior Vice President, Global Sparkling Brand Center, where she was responsible for the global leadership of all Coca-Cola’s Sparkling brands.

Prior to joining Coca-Cola in 2008, Clark was Senior Vice President, Advertising for AT&T, where she was at the helm of the company’s most ambitious re-branding and advertising in its history with the subsequent mergers of SBC and Cingular. 

Clark has won numerous business accolades. In 2009 and 2010, FORTUNE featured her in its “40 Under 40” issue, ranking as the highest woman in 2010 (#15). She was also named one of four “Women to Watch” by FORTUNE.  

“I’ve known Wendy since she was a client at AT&T and she is a game-changer.  She understands the demands facing corporate marketing and the role agencies play in engaging and winning customers,” said Chuck Brymer, Chief Executive Officer of DDB Worldwide. “She is passionate about creativity and a magnet for talent.  We are thrilled that she will be leading DDB in North America.”

Clark said, “It’s been a privilege to add my fingerprints to the millions who have shaped the 129-year legacy of brand Coca-Cola. In that same sense of legacy, I am now delighted to join the talented team at DDB, a brand that traces its own heritage back 66 years to one of the forefathers of advertising, Bill Bernbach. I am excited about the journey ahead and the impact we’ll create together.”

Brymer continued, “Mark leaves DDB North America in excellent health. Under his leadership we have a world-class team in place and a great roster of clients. I want to thank Mark for all of his efforts and wish him well in his new position at Omnicom.”

ABOUT DDB

DDB Worldwide (www.ddb.com) is one of the world’s largest and most influential advertising and marketing networks. DDB has been named Agency of the Year numerous times by the Cannes International Festival of Creativity and the industry’s leading advertising publications and awards shows. The Gunn Report has listed DDB as one of the Top 3 Global Networks for 12 of the last 15 years. The agency’s clients include Volkswagen, McDonald’s, Unilever, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, and Exxon Mobil, among others.

Founded in 1949, DDB is part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE) and consists of more than 200 offices in over 90 countries with its flagship office in New York, NY.

ABOUT OMNICOM 


Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

CONTACT:


Christie Giera

Director of Corporate Communications, DDB Worldwide

Email: [email protected] 

Phone: 212-415-2186

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ddb-names-wendy-clark-president-and-ceo-of-north-america-300176764.html

ALDI Tops List as World’s Simplest Global Brand for Third Year Running, while Google Tops the List in the US

NEW YORK CITY, NY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015 – Global brand strategy, design, and experience firm Siegel+Gale (www.siegelgale.com) today announced the findings of the sixth annual Global Brand Simplicity Index™ (www.simplicityindex.com). Leading discount supermarket chain ALDI topped the list as the world’s simplest brand for the third year running, while Google dominated the US rankings. The study, based on an online survey of more than 12,000 respondents across eight countries, ranks 585 brands based on their perceived simplicity.

Some of the key findings from the report this year include:

• Simplicity pays: 63 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for simpler experiences.
• Simplicity gets shared: 69 percent of consumers are more likely to recommend a brand because it’s simple.
• Simplicity outperforms: Data from the past six years shows a stock portfolio comprised of the publicly traded simplest brands in the Global Top 10 outperforms the major indexes by 214 percent.

“The Global Brand Simplicity Index has shown year after year that the benefits of simplicity remain constant,” says Howard Belk, co-CEO and chief creative officer, at Siegel+Gale. “Brands that offer simpler customer experiences are rewarded with passionate customer loyalty, more innovative employees and greater revenue. In short, embracing simplicity improves the bottom line for brands and organizations.”

Brands can scale or plummet in the rankings based on a multitude of factors, including expansion of product offerings, or improved communications. Some brand rankings have remained consistent throughout the past six years, but other brands have fluctuated.Highlights from this year’s study include:

• ALDI, Google, and Lidl stay securely in the top three spots this year, demonstrating a stalwart commitment to keeping things simple for customers.
• Bupa and AXA remain in the bottom 10 again this year—for insurance companies, achieving simplicity certainly isn’t easy.
• Dollar Shave Club takes the top spot on the US disrupters list.
• Health and beauty product purveyor Sephora drops 29 spots in the Global Index. Maintaining simplicity can’t be just skin-deep.
• Perennial high-performer McDonald’s is joined by Burger King and KFC in this year’s top ten, showing that quick service also means simple service.
• British Airways elevates an impressive 22 spots in this year’s Global Index to #46, while perennial low-flyer Ryanair remains in the bottom 10.

Global Disrupters

For the second year running Siegel+Gale asked consumers in the US and UK to evaluate regionally relevant disrupters based on the simplicity of their products, services, interactions and communications. Disrupters are emerging brands that that are changing consumer expectations and reshaping industry category definitions.

What are disrupters doing to deliver simpler customer experiences?

• Empowering people: They side-step traditional industry protocols and shift power to consumers.
• Reimagining experiences: They turn underwhelming experiences into moments of delight.
• Removing friction: They identify pain points in everyday processes, and remove them.
• Saving time: They value people’s time by providing services to them where and when they need it most.
• Providing utility: They provide services that customers find useful.

“This year’s Global Brand Simplicity Index highlights a trend to watch—emerging companies built upon simplicity are incorporating it into everything they say and do, and in the process winning customer minds, hearts, and all-important wallets,” said David Srere, co-CEO and chief strategy officer, at Siegel+Gale. “Their more established competitors should take notice.”

Delivering Simplicity

As part of this year’s study, Siegel+Gale interviewed marketing leaders and founders of brands that have consistently performed well in the index, to understand why and how they provide simpler experiences—to both employees and customers. Through interviews with Google, Dunkin’ Donuts, Gannet, CVS Health, Zappos and Southwest Airlines, it’s apparent that weaving simplicity throughout brand experience is key to success.

Simply Social

This year Siegel+Gale introduced a new section in the report, which examines how consumers use social media platforms to perform certain tasks, and the implications for brands. They found brands should:

1. Entertain before they sell: The primary reason consumers use social media is to find new sources of entertainment.
2. Get noticed, but don’t disrupt: Ads that align to a social platform’s purpose are least disruptive to consumers.
3. Explore social customer service: Consumers find it effective (though only a small percentage are using it).

The 2015 Global Brand Simplicity Index™ Top 10 Brands

1. ALDI

2. Google

3. Lidl

4. Netflix

5. McDonald’s

6. Burger King

7. IKEA

8. YouTube

9. eBay

10. KFC

To explore the full report, go to: www.simplicityindex.com.

###

About the 2015 Global Brand Simplicity Index

The Siegel+Gale Global Brand Simplicity Index is a report of global brand ratings, based on an online survey of more than 12,000 consumers in eight countries who are asked to evaluate perceived points of simplicity or complexity in consumer interactions with over 585 brands across 25 industries. Each brand is rated on elements of the simplicity methodology. Siegel+Gale defines simplicity as ease of understanding, transparency, caring, innovation and usefulness of communications as well as how complex and complicated typical interactions are in relation to industry peers. The data collected is used to generate two scores: An Industry Simplicity Score™ and a Brand Simplicity Score™. The Industry Simplicity Score rates each industry on its perceived simplicity. Industries are evaluated on their contribution to making life simpler or more complex, the pain of interactions with companies within the industry and how the industry’s communications rank in terms of ease of understanding, transparency/honesty, concern for customers, innovation/freshness and usefulness. The Brand Simplicity Score rates each brand on its perceived simplicity. It evaluates each brand on the simplicity/complexity of products, services, interactions and communications in relation to industry peers. The score takes into consideration the consistency of responses, the difference between user and non-user perceptions and the simplicity score for the brand’s industry. The annual research study was first conducted in 2010.

About Siegel+Gale

Siegel+Gale (www.siegelgale.com) is the simplicity company. We seek it, defend it and embrace it in everything we do to help brands reach their true potential. Simplicity is the centerpiece of the strategies we develop that reveal the unique truths of an organization, the engaging stories we create that connect brands with their audiences and the meaningful experiences we deliver that are both unexpectedly fresh and remarkably clear. Since 1969, Siegel+Gale has championed simplicity for leading corporations, nonprofits and government organizations worldwide. We have offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Dubai, and Shanghai, but we’re willing to fly just about anywhere. We’re also not alone. As part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., we have strong partners all around the world.

###

Contact:

Molly Muldoon

Senior PR Manager, Siegel+Gale

[email protected]

1.212.453.0491

Siegel+Gale Launches Findings from the Sixth Annual Global Brand Simplicity Index™; Demonstrates the Power of Simple Experiences for Established and Emerging Brands 

ALDI Tops List as World’s Simplest Global Brand for Third Year Running, while Google Tops the List in the US

NEW YORK CITY, NY, NOVEMBER 9, 2015 – Global brand strategy, design, and experience firm Siegel+Gale (www.siegelgale.com) today announced the findings of the sixth annual Global Brand Simplicity Index™ (www.simplicityindex.com). Leading discount supermarket chain ALDI topped the list as the world’s simplest brand for the third year running, while Google dominated the US rankings. The study, based on an online survey of more than 12,000 respondents across eight countries, ranks 585 brands based on their perceived simplicity.

Some of the key findings from the report this year include:

• Simplicity pays: 63 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for simpler experiences.
• Simplicity gets shared: 69 percent of consumers are more likely to recommend a brand because it’s simple.
• Simplicity outperforms: Data from the past six years shows a stock portfolio comprised of the publicly traded simplest brands in the Global Top 10 outperforms the major indexes by 214 percent.

“The Global Brand Simplicity Index has shown year after year that the benefits of simplicity remain constant,” says Howard Belk, co-CEO and chief creative officer, at Siegel+Gale. “Brands that offer simpler customer experiences are rewarded with passionate customer loyalty, more innovative employees and greater revenue. In short, embracing simplicity improves the bottom line for brands and organizations.”

Brands can scale or plummet in the rankings based on a multitude of factors, including expansion of product offerings, or improved communications. Some brand rankings have remained consistent throughout the past six years, but other brands have fluctuated.

Highlights from this year’s study include:

• ALDI, Google, and Lidl stay securely in the top three spots this year, demonstrating a stalwart commitment to keeping things simple for customers.
• Bupa and AXA remain in the bottom 10 again this year—for insurance companies, achieving simplicity certainly isn’t easy.
• Dollar Shave Club takes the top spot on the US disrupters list.
• Health and beauty product purveyor Sephora drops 29 spots in the Global Index. Maintaining simplicity can’t be just skin-deep.
• Perennial high-performer McDonald’s is joined by Burger King and KFC in this year’s top ten, showing that quick service also means simple service.
• British Airways elevates an impressive 22 spots in this year’s Global Index to #46, while perennial low-flyer Ryanair remains in the bottom 10.

Global Disrupters

For the second year running Siegel+Gale asked consumers in the US and UK to evaluate regionally relevant disrupters based on the simplicity of their products, services, interactions and communications. Disrupters are emerging brands that that are changing consumer expectations and reshaping industry category definitions.

What are disrupters doing to deliver simpler customer experiences?

1. Empowering people: They side-step traditional industry protocols and shift power to consumers.
2. Reimagining experiences: They turn underwhelming experiences into moments of delight.
3. Removing friction: They identify pain points in everyday processes, and remove them.
4. Saving time: They value people’s time by providing services to them where and when they need it most.
5. Providing utility: They provide services that customers find useful.

“This year’s Global Brand Simplicity Index highlights a trend to watch—emerging companies built upon simplicity are incorporating it into everything they say and do, and in the process winning customer minds, hearts, and all-important wallets,” said David Srere, co-CEO and chief strategy officer, at Siegel+Gale. “Their more established competitors should take notice.”

Delivering Simplicity

As part of this year’s study, Siegel+Gale interviewed marketing leaders and founders of brands that have consistently performed well in the index, to understand why and how they provide simpler experiences—to both employees and customers. Through interviews with Google, Dunkin’ Donuts, Gannet, CVS Health, Zappos and Southwest Airlines, it’s apparent that weaving simplicity throughout brand experience is key to success.

Simply Social

This year Siegel+Gale introduced a new section in the report, which examines how consumers use social media platforms to perform certain tasks, and the implications for brands. They found brands should:

• Entertain before they sell: The primary reason consumers use social media is to find new sources of entertainment.
• Get noticed, but don’t disrupt: Ads that align to a social platform’s purpose are least disruptive to consumers.
• Explore social customer service: Consumers find it effective (though only a small percentage are using it).

The 2015 Global Brand Simplicity Index™ Top 10 Brands

1. ALDI
2. Google
3. Lidl
4. Netflix
5. McDonald’s
6. Burger King
7. IKEA
8. YouTube
9. eBay
10. KFC

To explore the full report, go to: www.simplicityindex.com.

###

About the 2015 Global Brand Simplicity Index

The Siegel+Gale Global Brand Simplicity Index is a report of global brand ratings, based on an online survey of more than 12,000 consumers in eight countries who are asked to evaluate perceived points of simplicity or complexity in consumer interactions with over 585 brands across 25 industries. Each brand is rated on elements of the simplicity methodology. Siegel+Gale defines simplicity as ease of understanding, transparency, caring, innovation and usefulness of communications as well as how complex and complicated typical interactions are in relation to industry peers.

The data collected is used to generate two scores: An Industry Simplicity Score™ and a Brand Simplicity Score™.

The Industry Simplicity Score rates each industry on its perceived simplicity. Industries are evaluated on their contribution to making life simpler or more complex, the pain of interactions with companies within the industry and how the industry’s communications rank in terms of ease of understanding, transparency/honesty, concern for customers, innovation/freshness and usefulness.

The Brand Simplicity Score rates each brand on its perceived simplicity. It evaluates each brand on the simplicity/complexity of products, services, interactions and communications in relation to industry peers. The score takes into consideration the consistency of responses, the difference between user and non-user perceptions and the simplicity score for the brand’s industry.

The annual research study was first conducted in 2010.

About Siegel+Gale

Siegel+Gale (www.siegelgale.com) is the simplicity company. We seek it, defend it and embrace it in everything we do to help brands reach their true potential. Simplicity is the centerpiece of the strategies we develop that reveal the unique truths of an organization, the engaging stories we create that connect brands with their audiences and the meaningful experiences we deliver that are both unexpectedly fresh and remarkably clear.

Since 1969, Siegel+Gale has championed simplicity for leading corporations, nonprofits and government organizations worldwide. We have offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Dubai, and Shanghai, but we’re willing to fly just about anywhere. We’re also not alone. As part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., we have strong partners all around the world.

# # #

Contact:
Molly Muldoon
Senior PR Manager, Siegel+Gale
[email protected]

1.212.453.0491

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — John Saunders will succeed Dave Senay as FleishmanHillard’s president and chief executive officer, it was announced today by Dale Adams, chairman and CEO of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of FleishmanHillard’s parent company, Omnicom Group.

Saunders, 57, and a native of Dublin, Ireland, will begin his new duties effective today. He was most previously president for FleishmanHillard’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. He will reside in St. Louis, where the agency is headquartered. 

“John Saunders emerged from a year-long leadership evaluation process and stood out in many respects,” Adams said. “He is a proven leader with a global perspective. He is a consummate public relations professional. He has helped grow and develop people and offices and a region during challenging times. He is an inspiring communicator and a natural collaborator and relationship-builder. In today’s ultra-connected world, he will help FleishmanHillard link its employees and clients with the many best-in-class companies that are part of the Omnicom/DAS network of companies,” Adams said.

“I am honored and humbled by this new responsibility and the faith shown in me by FleishmanHIllard and Omnicom,” Saunders said. “FleishmanHillard has a legacy of excellence at every level, with an uncanny sense of what clients need most, and the best employees in the industry to meet those needs. We will continue to be driven by a spirit of innovation and client service, and provide employees with the best career experience of their lives.” Saunders added, “I have great admiration for Dave Senay and everything he has accomplished, and I am grateful for his ongoing support.”

Senay, who turns 60 this month, steps down after 32 years with the company and more than nine years as president and chief executive officer. He joined FleishmanHillard in March 1984, and was appointed president and chief executive officer in July 2006. He will remain with the firm as a consultant and to support the leadership transition.

“Dave served FleishmanHillard with distinction across a variety of roles before becoming only the third CEO in the firm’s history,” Adams said. “As CEO, he was ahead of the curve in recognizing the profound changes taking place in our industry and helping FleishmanHillard evolve to meet those challenges. Along the way, he became one of the industry’s most respected leaders.”

Specifically, Senay led the company’s adoption of a digital platform and a more integrated approach to communications. He also spearheaded the creation of “Ethics as Culture,” a program to promote ethical decision-making in public relations. FleishmanHillard later donated that program to the Council of Public Relations Firms (now called the Public Relations Council), the industry’s leading trade group, for use by its member firms.   

Senay served as chairman of the Council of Public Relations Firms twice. In 2014, PRWeek, the industry’s publication of record, named him PR Professional of the Year. That same year, the publication named FleishmanHillard as Global Agency of the Year.   

Senay said: “To say it has been an honor to lead FleishmanHillard is a monumental understatement. From day one, it has been the people of FleishmanHillard who made the firm the gold standard for quality in the public relations industry. John will carry on a tradition of excellence that goes back to our founding in St. Louis in 1946.”

Saunders recently celebrated his 25^th anniversary with FleishmanHillard. In 1990, he and FleishmanHillard founded FleishmanHillard Saunders, which grew to become Ireland’s number one public relations agency and one of the firm’s most successful offices. In 2004 he was appointed Regional Director for Europe, and in 2011 he was elevated to the role of regional president for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Prior to his public relations career, he was staff journalist with Radio Telefis Eireann of Irish State broadcasting. He is a former president of ICCO, the global consortium of national public relations associations, and is a member of its Hall of Fame.

About FleishmanHillard

FleishmanHillard strives to be the world’s most complete global communications firm, specializing in public relations, public affairs, marketing, paid media, and transmedia and social content. FleishmanHillard delivers on the power of true, reflecting the firm’s high values, and unique ability to guide clients through a world demanding unprecedented authenticity and transparency. FleishmanHillard was named PRWeek’s 2014 Global Agency of the Year, “Standout Agency” on Advertising Age’s 2013 A-List; NAFE’s “Top 50 Companies for Executive Women” for 2010-2015; and among PRWeek’s 2013 “Best Places to Work.” The firm’s award-winning work is widely heralded, including at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. FleishmanHillard is part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., and has 88 offices in 30 countries, plus affiliates in 43 countries. Visit us at www.fleishmanhillard.com.     

About the DAS Group of Companies 

The DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), is a global group of marketing services companies. DAS includes over 200 companies in the following marketing disciplines: specialty, PR, healthcare, CRM, events, promotional marketing, branding and research. Operating through a combination of networks and regional organizations, DAS serves international, regional, national and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

About Omnicom Group Inc.

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom’s branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.