Starcom MediaVest Group Global CEO Renetta McCann Announces Sabbatical from Marketing Industry

Renetta McCann, global CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group, announced plans to take a one-year sabbatical from the company and the marketing communications industry. She was ranked by Forbes magazine as the 41st (2007) most powerful woman in the world. Her leave will take effect January 1, 2009. She will vacate the global CEO role immediately, and Laura Desmond, currently CEO of SMG/The Americas, will assume the global title.

"I have been given the opportunity to build an incredible organization during a decade of management responsibility, but I now recognize that some family matters and personal goals have unfortunately taken a back seat during this time. I would like to give them my full attention now," said McCann. "While the family matters are private, one of my personal goals is to uncover some new ways of thinking about talent/opportunity alignment, specifically which triggers, emotions, and assignments can more quickly propel the right people into the best roles.

"Jack Klues and I have agreed that a sabbatical will allow me the best of both worlds," she added. "I can contribute more energy to the things that matter in my personal life while still having the option to bring fresh eyes and perspective back to a Company and an industry that has meant a lot to me over the last three decades. In the next six months, I will apply myself as needed to transition Laura to her new role, and I will take on some talent-related projects at the Groupe level."

McCann assumed the role of global CEO for SMG in 2005, at which time she served as CEO of SMG/The Americas. Her tenure has been punctuated by advancements and accolades.

"It is impossible to summarize the contributions Renetta continues to make to our business and to the industry at large," said Jack Klues, chairman of Publicis Groupe Media. "She has earned the opportunity to step back from the global role and reassess the contributions she wants to make moving forward, and we look forward to benefiting from the perspective this sabbatical affords her."