NEW YORK Publicis Groupe’s Optimedia said it has appointed Ellen Drury senior vice president, director of local TV and radio investments.
Drury, who is based in New York, will lead local broadcast buying efforts across Optimedia’s five U.S. offices. She succeeds Linda Pittman, who left Optimedia in February for personal reasons, the shop said.
Drury, a 20-year industry veteran, most recently was a consultant, working with clients and agencies on media strategies. From 1999 to 2005, she was svp, group director of local broadcast at Publicis Groupe’s MediaVest, where she oversaw the Paramount account. She left MediaVest at about the time that Paramount shifted to WPP’s Mediaedge:cia after a review. Prior to MediaVest, she was a local broadcast supervisor at DDB in New York.
Drury will report to Mike Drexler, U.S. chef executive of Optimedia. Commenting on the hire in a statement, Drexler said Drury’s “extensive experience in local TV and radio buying and strong relationships with local station managers would help drive clients return on investment in an increasingly complex television and radio marketplace. She also understands the need to work with all platforms, including local cable, video-on-demand and streaming media over the Internet.”
“Through a great staff, innovations and resources, Optimedia will effectively drive local buying in both traditional and nontraditional ways to maximize client investment.” Drury said.
Optimedia Names Local Broadcast Chief
