Starcom Names 3 New Presidents Within Its U.S. Network

Publicis’ Starcom USA announced a series of leadership appointments within its financial and client-facing divisions today.

Danielle Gonzales and Karla Knecht were both promoted to positions as president, chief client officer, while Kristina Lutz was hired as president of investment.

“Danielle and Karla have partnered together as U.S. client leads across all four offices to bring together the best talent, best strategic work and best thinking on behalf of our clients,” Starcom USA CEO Kathy Ring said in a statement. “Their leadership and teamwork is core to making Starcom more collaborative, cohesive and interdependent.”

Gonzales will oversee half of Starcom USA’s client roster, as well as its Los Angeles office. She previously served as executive vice president, managing director of Starcom’s multicultural unit and has also led data driven media for Kraft Foods and led the media agency’s global Burger King account. She was named to Adweek’s list of “Media All-Stars” for 2012.

Knecht will be responsible for overseeing Starcom’s Performics arm and New York office, in addition to half of its client roster. An agency veteran of over 20 years, Knecht most recently served as executive vice president, managing director. She originally joined the agency back in 1995.

Lutz will be tasked with leading Starcom USA’s investment and activation team. She joins the agency from iHeartMedia, where she has spent the last four years and most recently served as executive vice president of automotive business development and partnerships. An industry veteran of over 20 years, Lutz rejoins Starcom after serving a previous stint of around four and a half years as senior vice president leading activation and media investment for Bank of America before leaving for iHeartMedia.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kristina back to Starcom,” Ring added. “She is creative, a passionate leader, a holistic thinker and a strong negotiator—and I am confident that she will help us deliver even more value to our clients.”

Lutz replaces Amanda Richman, who will become U.S. CEO at rival media agency MEC in October as it merges with fellow WPP shop Maxus.