|
Essence Power Award Honoree
Renetta McCann - Starcom MediaVest Group
When Renetta McCann decided to major in speech back in college, she probably didn't think she'd be giving them for the rest of her life. But that was long before the Chicago native took the advertising world by storm and established herself as one of the most influential executives in the industry today.
As chief executive officer of Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG), McCann heads up a behemoth organization that is one the most powerful brand communication groups in the world. In this position, she is responsible for managing an integrated network of more than 10 top media and marketing agencies—with client billings in excess of $25 billion and a global workforce of 5,500. She also sits on the Publicis Groupe Media Board of Directors, where she helps lead and grow the media networks of SMG's parent company, Publicis Groupe S.A.—one of the largest communication companies in the world.
Suffice it to say, when McCann talks, people listen.
But being in the spotlight is nothing new to the 50-year-old executive, who first rose to prominence in 2000 as the CEO of Starcom North America—a powerhouse media agency she helped launch just three years earlier. Under her leadership, Starcom grew to become one of the largest and most influential shops in the industry. It was during this time that McCann cemented her reputation for driving change and leading innovation—making Starcom one of the most sought-after strategic “think tanks” in the business.
McCann raised her profile even further when, in 2004, she was appointed chief executive officer of SMG, the Americas. Responsible for the network's vast operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America, she oversaw the largest media services organization in the world's largest media markets. After spending just one year in that role, McCann was elevated once again—this time to her current position on the global stage as CEO of the entire SMG network.
Her accomplishments—both as a business leader and an advocate of diversity—have earned her extensive recognition. In 2006, Forbes magazine listed McCann as the 27th most powerful woman in the world – a power ranking that is the composite of her visibility and economic impact. The Wall Street Journal named McCann one of the “Top 50 Women to Watch” in corporate America in 2005 and Fortune identified her as one of “5 Women to Watch” in its Most Powerful Women issue. In 2003, Essence magazine named McCann one of “50 Women Who Are Changing the World.” Black Enterprise designated her as “2002 Corporate Executive of the Year” and, also that same year, Ebony named her one of “57 Most Intriguing Blacks.”
The marketing industry has celebrated McCann as well. She was chosen to serve as the 2006 jury president for media at the Cannes International Advertising Festival, the most prestigious industry awards festival in the world. Cannes Lions and Effie Awards line McCann's shelf, along with such trophies as Business Week's Media Strategies Award; Ebony's Outstanding Women in Communications Award; and the Chicago Magazine Association's Vanguard Award. In 2002, the Women's Advertising Club of Chicago designated her "Advertising Woman of the Year” and the year prior she was dubbed a “Media Maven” by Advertising Age.
In getting to her current position, McCann created a legacy of firsts that firmly established her place in history within the advertising industry. She was the first woman of color and power in her organization. The first African American promoted to media supervisor. The first managing director, vice president, senior vice president, media director, executive vice president and CEO of color in her company. Moreover, she is the only high-ranking African American practicing in the media agency space today.
A force for change, McCann established SMG's first company-wide diversity initiative, which not only seeks to build a stronger multicultural presence and create a more inclusive work environment–but also sets the standard for others in the industry to follow. In her previous position as CEO of SMG Americas, McCann rolled out the company's first diversity training program, which started with the senior most executive team and was carried out at all levels of the organization.
McCann is also active in several distinguished industry and community organizations, including Columbia College, Chicago Public Radio, Catalyst, Louis Carr Foundation, Children's Place, The Chicago Network and Ad Women of New York.
McCann earned a Bachelor of Science degree in speech from Northwestern University. She and her husband live in Chicago with their two children.
|
