C-K Hires Russo To Lead Planning

Tricia Russo, the new svp, director of brand planning at Cramer-Krasselt, considers her master’s degree in literature good preparation for a career in planning.

“The skills you apply in analyzing literature are very similar” to those used by planners, observed Russo, who oversees six planners at the Chicago independent and reports to general manager Phil May.

Previously, Russo’s duties were split between group planning directors Peter Picard and Barb Warner. May said growth at the agency prompted him to add someone to run the planning team.

Most recently svp, planning director at Publicis Groupe’s LB Works—which was folded into parent Leo Burnett last November—Russo, 36, studied 18th-century literature at the University of Colorado and then as a graduate student at Boston University.