STEVE MCCLELLAN

Articles by Stephen All articles by Stephen

• Omnicom To Sell $2.5 Billion In 'Non-Strategic' And Underperforming Assets in MAD on 02/18/2026
  

  The company also said it would achieve double the synergies it initially anticipated stemming from the merger with Interpublic and cut about $1 billion in labor costs.

• Michelob's Ultra Instructor Ad Tops In Creative Effectiveness During Olympics in MAD on 02/18/2026
  

  The ad, with actors Kurt Russell and Lewis Pullman, was also a top performer in the Super Bowl two weeks ago.

• Iconic Turkey Brand Butterball Awards Carmichael Lynch Media, Creative & Social Remit in MAD on 02/18/2026
  

  The agency will amplify the brand's leadership position as top turkey seller during the holiday season and promote other products in the company's portfolio including ground turkey, turkey bacon, and sausages.

• Lerma/ Hires Omar Quinones As Its First Chief Strategy Officer in MAD on 02/17/2026
  

  Quinones's appointment is part of a broader string of senior leadership investments at LERMA/, including the additions of Paco Conde (Chief Creative Officer) and Josh Archer (Chief Data Officer), underscoring the agency's continued expansion.

• Havas Exceeds 2025 Outlook, Expects Similar Growth This Year in MAD on 02/17/2026
  

  For North America, now accounting for 34% of revenue, the firm posted a 4.6% gain in the quarter, driven by both media and creative operations. Full year growth for the region was 4.6% "supported by all business lines."

• France Wins 'Country Of The Year' Honors At Cannes in MAD on 02/17/2026
  

  As part of the recognition, the 2026 Festival (June 22-26) will feature French creative showcases, celebratory events, dedicated stage talks and French-led activations.

• Attivo Taps Big Agency Media Vet Savic To Run U.S. in MAD on 02/16/2026
  

  The appointment is part of a broader restructuring of Attivo's U.S. leadership team. The firm also said it would be unveiling soon a new media network that will fall within Savic's purview.

• Walz Tetrick Advertising Rebrands To WTA, Says It's 'Made To Move' in MAD on 02/17/2026
  

  The makeover comes after five decades of serving local and national advertisers in the Midwest and beyond.

• Omnicom's PHD Wins Raymour & Flanigan Media in MAD on 02/13/2026
  

  The company spends an estimated $120 million on measured media annually. The incumbent was Dentsu.

• Dentsu Looks To New Management For Answers To Growth Quagmire in MAD on 02/13/2026
  

  The company said that it expects no more than 1% growth annually for the foreseeable future as it puts together a revised strategy-to be revealed in the next few months-to accelerate growth.

Comments by Stephen All comments by Stephen

• Interpublic's R/GA Taken Private By Truelink Capital by Steve McClellan (MAD on 03/03/2025)
  

  Good question, Scott. Not disclosed so far. 

• International Advertising Association Establishes North American Chapter by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 03/17/2023)
  

  Michael, the IAA has had a New York chapter but has never had a North America chapter. This will encompass all of the US, Canada and Mexico, according to the group. Thank you for rasing the point as the article should have provided that background. 

• How Much Does Gun Advertising Contribute To All The Killing? by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 06/01/2022)
  

  Steve, here is a link to the NYT story referrenced in the Whitman column. It does not show the videogame type ads described in the piece. It does link to a Daniel Defense ad featuring children. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/business/daniel-defense-rifle-texas-shooting-gun.html?searchResultPosition=1

• New Era At Accenture Interactive As Droga Is Poised To Take The Reins by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/23/2021)
  

  Oops, thanks for pointing that out John.

• 4A's Creates Agency Review Participation Agreement by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/24/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, I think you're right--an effort to make clients aware agencies have major issues with the current process, particularly when the client doesn't retain professional help with the search. No power per se. 

• Agency Review Activity Spikes After Quiet 2020 by Steve McClellan (MAD on 07/09/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, the $544 million figure is a net figure that does take into account losses. No doubt marketers are pressing for lower fees/prices whereever they can find them, with all suppliers. But the spike probably does reflect the fact that marketers put off reviews last year to deal with other more pressing COVID-related issues. 

• Imagine A Pro Sports Team Called The 'New York Jews' by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 07/13/2020)
  

  Ed, I think the hockey team has a claim on the Capitals name there, although St. Louis had both a baseball Cardinals and a football Cardinals for some time. To your broader point, yeah, there are a lot options for non-offensive names. 

• Despite Rumors To The Contrary, Manly Men Drink Rose by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/06/2017)
  

  Thanks Nicholas, as editor of this column I should have caught that. Appreciate that you did. 

• Brands Failing To Provide Quality Training In Media Skills by Steve McClellan (MAD on 10/28/2016)
  

  It is J.R., although it's usually not referred to as 'educatiing' and frequently it is people below the c suite. But often agencies meet with clients to 'brief' them on this or that issue. Which makes sense given that the former are supposed to be experts in the field. 

• Agencies React To Finger-Pointing, 4As Calls ANA Report Anonymous, One-Sided by Steve McClellan (MAD on 06/07/2016)
  

  Thanks for catching that Michael, now fixed.

About Edit

You haven't told us anything about yourself! Surely you've got something to say. Tell us a little something.