NEW YORK Interpublic Group's Deutsch said it has promoted Michael Duda from svp, director of business development, to partner, director of business development and corporate initiatives, effective immediately.
Duda, 34, reports to agency CEO Linda Sawyer, who said in a statement, "Mike is a student of the industry, incredibly plugged in and ahead of the curve. He is continually thinking of new ways to grow and nurture our business and brand. Awarding him the title of partner makes it clear to the outside world the importance of his role."
Duda has spent nearly seven years at the agency, joining in 1998 from then-independent Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners, where he worked in account management and new business development. At Deutsch, he also worked on new business until 2000, when he applied his skills to direct marketing at Omnicom Group's Rapp Collins. By June 2001, Duda returned to Deutsch as the head of the new business department with oversight for those efforts in New York, where he is based, and at Deutsch\LA in Marina del Rey, Calif.
His additional responsibilities include developing new business best practices, boosting organic growth and shaping new compensation models as integrated services such as iDeutsch, directDeutsch and Media Bridge Entertainment are becoming more in demand, the agency said.
Sawyer, who was promoted from COO of Deutsch to CEO in September, credits him in part for the agency's Johnson & Johnson wins as well as those of Old Navy, T.G.I. Friday's and Helio, a new client at Deutsch\LA.
Duda began his career at Hutchins/Young & Rubicam in public relations and helped build that shop's interactive unit.
Deutsch's other clients include GM, Expedia, Novartis Worldwide, Pier 1 Imports and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.