Equativ bolsters Strategic Advisory Board, appointing former PHD CEO Catherine Sullivan

Equativ, the leading global independent ad platform, has today announced the appointment of Catherine Sullivan — formerly CEO at PHD U.S. — to its Strategic Advisory Board: a diverse assembly of media, advertising, and technology experts that will play an integral role in driving the company’s global growth.

The addition of Catherine Sullivan to this board underscores Equativ’s commitment to driving innovation and ensuring strategic agility by embracing insights from industry specialists. Bringing more than 20 years of experience and sector knowledge, Sullivan’s capabilities will prove a valuable asset in supporting the organisation’s ongoing expansion across the U.S. market.

Alongside steering operations at PHD US, Sullivan’s extensive career has covered fuelling successful business development for prominent media agencies; including serving as Chief Investment Officer for Omnicom Media Group (OMG) North America, where she helped guide unified digitally focused expenditure for OMD, PHD, and Hearts & Science. Key individual achievements comprise boosting multi-platform revenue for ABC News by over 50% during her time as Senior Vice President of News Sales, before progressing to hold executive roles at both ABC and NBC.

Sullivan will be joining Equativ’s long-term advisers Greg Coleman and Mainardo de Nardis. Coleman’s senior positions have honed deep understanding of media, technology, and advertising, as well as how these spaces can function in efficient sync. Currently sitting on a host of company boards and ‘Entrepreneur in Residence’ at Lerer Hippeau Ventures, his past resumé spans C-suite and President roles at Criteo, AOL, LoopMe, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, U.S. Magazine Publishing, and the Reader’s Digest Association.

A seasoned director, chairman, consultant and investor with 30 years of experience in marketing and advertising, de Nardis holds a wealth of cross-discipline expertise: encompassing advertising and marketing technology, data & analytics, FMCG, and communications services. His most recent positions as Executive Vice-Chairman at Omnicom Media Group in New York and Chief Executive Officer of OMD Worldwide Group have cemented his global reputation for pioneering thought leadership, with current board-level credits beyond Equativ including Edelman, VidMob, LoopMe, Ad Results Media, Freeda and FIOL.

Collectively, the Strategic Advisory Board will take responsibility for providing smart counsel on business planning and growth initiatives in core regions such as the US, as well as offering recommendations around how best to harness emerging trends and forge partnerships that align with Equativ’s dedication to sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical practices.

“Equativ has earned a reputation as one of the brightest ad tech forces striving to deliver true value for its clients and drive positive change by enhancing access to independent, transparent and sophisticated solutions throughout the supply chain,” comments Catherine Sullivan. “I look forward to drawing on my own experience to help the company not only meet its near-term objectives, but also keep blazing a market-leading trail in the future.”

“This board will form an essential bridge between our business and the broader community, helping us make decisions that reflect the needs and aspirations of all stakeholders; including advertisers, publishers, brands, and agencies,” adds Arnaud Créput, CEO of Equativ. “As well as contributing to our continued success, we feel this step will foster a more dynamic, inclusive, innovative and forward-thinking environment by welcoming different perspectives from highly respected and skilled specialists to fuel multi-faceted, nimble strategies.”

(Image: from left to right – Greg Coleman, Catherine Sullivan, Arnaud Creput – CEO of Equativ, Mainardo de Nardis)