NEW YORK, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Matt Seiler, CEO Mediabrands, Interpublic
Group's (NYSE: IPG) media division, is the new chairman of
PROFESSIONALS IN ADVERTISING, the marketing, advertising and media
industry's political action committee.
The political action committee, known as PRO-AD PAC, was founded
in 1989 by industry leaders concerned that the advertising and
marketing industry had no avenue to support and elect political
candidates who shared their key goals and priorities. A
non-connected PAC, broadly reaching across all sectors of the
marketing and media world, the non-partisan Committee has helped
elect more than 300 candidates representing both parties.
Previous chairmen have included Phil
Geier, former CEO of the IPG; Charles Peebler, former chair of Bozell, Jacobs,
Kenyon & Eckhardt; Roy Bostock,
current chair of the Yahoo Board of Directors; and David Bell, former chairman of the Ad Council
and former CEO of IPG.
Mr. Seiler was appointed CEO of Mediabrands, IPG's media and
digital buying and management hub, in January 2011. He has a wide range of experience
in the advertising and media industry, beginning his career in
account management and working as a strategic planner before moving
to media management.
He joined IPG as Global Chief Executive of UM in 2008, being
named the Mediaweek "Executive of the Year" in 2009. He has been
part of the team that has overseen the reorganization and expansion
of Mediabrands into the present operation that handles over
$35 billion in client spend.
As chair of PRO-AD PAC, Mr. Seiler will work with a blue ribbon
Board of Trustees drawn from all sectors of the marketing business
as well as industry representatives in Washington to help elect candidates who will
speak out in support of the industry's continued growth and
vitality.
"It is absolutely essential that we get our industry's message
out to the country's political leaders," said Nancy Hill, President-CEO of the 4A's. "All of
our businesses are directly affected by the decisions made in
Washington. Now, more than ever,
that means we must work to elect leaders who understand our
concerns and support our positions. I'm grateful to Matt for taking
on this critical leadership role."
"PRO-AD PAC is a unique organization," said Bob Liodice, CEO and President of the
Association of National Advertisers. "It spans our industry,
reaching across all aspects of the advertising, media and marketing
business to provide our collective viewpoint and support to
Congressional candidates. I can think of few more important jobs
than Chair of the PAC's Board of Trustees. Nor can I think of
anyone who is better suited for this job than Matt Seiler. We at ANA, like other key groups
within the industry, look forward to working closely with him."
SOURCE Mediabrands