Advertising Strategy Reviews

MRM Elevates Cripps in Asia

MRM Worldwide has elevated Mark Cripps to director of its Asia-Pacific operations. He had previously been evp, digital director of MRM in that region. In his new role, Cripps is responsible for the oversight of about 400 employees. Cripps takes over from MRM Worldwide COO Bill Kolb, who had been acting regional director since 2007 in addition to his primary role. Kolb cited Cripps' relentless drive over the past three years to implement digital training across the region for the MRM network, his exemplary account management and his continued thought leadership prowess. Cripps joined MRM as regional digital strategy director in July 2006 and ran the Intel CIM business from the Hong Kong office, where he will continue to be based. He rose to regional digital director in January 2008.

AEF Elects 6 to Board

The Advertising Educational Foundation recently elected six new board members. They are:





• Ron Bess (shown), president and COO, Euro RSCG North America and CEO, Euro RSCG Chicago


• Erin Clift, svp, global sales development, AOL


• S. Murray Gaylord, vp, customer insights, The New York Times Media Group and vp, marketing, NYTimes.com


• Susan Popper, svp, marketing communications, SAP


• Katie Puris, head of agency business, Omnicom North America (on Google)


• Americus Reed II, Whitney M. Young Jr. Associate Professor of Marketing, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania





The AEF creates and distributes educational content about advertising's role in society, history, culture and business. Targeting professors and students at colleges and universities, the AEF promotes a balanced discourse between academia and the industry, focusing on major issues, such as globalization, race and ethnicity, gender portrayals and advertising to children.