Rhea + Kaiser Marketing Communications has announced major changes in the leadership of the agency starting at the top.
For the first time since the agency’s founding 32 years ago, a new leader is at the helm of Rhea + Kaiser.
Diane Martin, a 24-year veteran of R+K, has been named president and chief executive officer. She succeeds agency co-founder Steve Rhea, who will remain as chairman of the board. Rhea and agency co-founder Van Kaiser retain full ownership of the agency.
“This was a critically important decision for Van and me, and Diane emerged as the clear choice,” Rhea said. “Diane best understands our agency, our culture and where we have to go in the future as a leading independent agency. In particular, Diane understands what it takes to successfully serve our clients and align with their business priorities.”
Martin said Rhea challenged her to define the new agency model going forward.
“My top priority is anticipating and managing change, while also painting a vision of the agency’s future and empowering employees to get there,” Martin said. “I am fortunate to inherit a rich history in R+K, but I understand that the client service business is about continually looking forward and anticipating the new.”
See more announcements:
· Wes Meador has been named as director of digital experience. In that role, Meador will be responsible for strategic planning and implementation of digital communications across all R+K client brands. Meador joined R+K in 2008 as associate media director, and has played a key role in shaping the agency’s digital evolution over the past two years, facilitating the integration of digital competencies across practice areas and delivering innovative digital solutions for clients including DePaul University, Central Garden & Pet and Bayer CropScience. Prior to joining R+K, Meador served in media leadership positions for Chandler Ehrlich Advertising and archer>malmo advertising, both in Memphis. Past clients include ServiceMaster (Terminix, Merry Maids, TruGreen and ServiceMaster Clean), Valent USA, Applebee’s and Kraft Food Ingredients.
· Cheryl Muzinic, already an agency vice president, has been named as director of client services. In this role, Muzinic will set agency standards for client service and work with R+K account teams to deliver excellent strategic thinking, work product and measurable results. Most recently, Muzinic served as group account manager for R+K’s consumer business, overseeing the DePaul University and Central Garden & Pet accounts. She will continue to oversee those pieces of business. She joined R+K in 2005 as a management supervisor on the Bayer CropScience account. Prior to joining R+K, Muzinic spent more than 25 years at two worldwide agency networks, BBDO and FCB Advertising, in Chicago. Her past clients include the National Potato Promotion Board, ICI Glidden, Kraft Foods, Wm. Wrigley Jr. and the Illinois Bureau of Tourism.
· Stephanie Soesbe has been named as the agency’s first chief operating officer. Soesbe, a 13-year R+K veteran, most recently served as director of organizational performance. In her new role, she will oversee key business functions for the agency. Soesbe began her career with R+K on the account side, working for clients including Motorola, Nicor Gas, Bayer CropScience, Detroit Medical Center and MidAmerica Bank. Prior to joining R+K, Soesbe was marketing manager for Professional Exposition Management Company (PEMCO).
Soesbe, Muzinic and Meador join the agency’s leadership team, which also consists of Patsy Comella, vice president, director of media; Jim Haist, senior vice president, group account manager; Deron Johnson, vice president, director of public relations; Robert Landa, vice president, executive creative director; and Kathy Sedlacek, controller. All report to Martin.