Desmond Hopes To Take Starcom Back To Basics

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Three years ago, Laura Desmond took over Publicis Groupe’s MediaVest with a mandate to turn the struggling shop around. She went on to capture new clients like Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble and MasterFoods, adding about $3 billion in net new business to the agency, which now buys about $8 billion in ads annually. Earlier this month, Desmond was promoted to CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group/The Americas, with oversight of Starcom, MediaVest and GM Planworks. Recma estimates the group will have billings of about $18 billion in 2006, making it the top-ranked network by billings.

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