Idea Advertising Exec Heads East

BOSTON McLaughlin, DelVecchio & Casey said it has hired Ron Rossi as president.

Rossi succeeds Jim McLaughlin, 69, who has retired from the New Haven, Conn., agency following his election as first selectman of the Town of Durham, Conn.

Rossi, 50, had been executive director of advertising and marketing at the Idea Advertising Group in Houston. In that capacity, he led account service teams for clients in the tourism, airline, financial services and hospitality industries, including the Bank of Antigua, Caribbean Sun-Star Airlines, Maiden Island Resort, Stanford Financial Corp., Stanford International Bank and Sticky Wicket restaurants.

“Ron brings to MD&C a powerful, diverse marketing communications background and proven track record with high-profile national and international clients,” said David Casey, agency vice president and creative director. “He possesses strong business skills, broad vision and keen imagination.”

Rossi started his career more than 20 years ago at Bozell in New York, and he has also worked at Dentsu in Tokyo on accounts such as Sony, Toshiba, Toyota, Fuji Film and United Airlines. In addition, his resume includes posts at Carter Israel Advertising and D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles.

Formed in 1972, MD&C is a 12-person independent agency best known for its five-year tenure on the $5 million Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism account.

—Adweek staff report