Laura Desmond, global CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group, the largest media agency network in the world, called one of the most influential and respected leaders in media and advertising, was named 2014 Chicago Ad Woman of the Year by the Chicago Advertising Federation.
Desmond, who began her Starcom career as a media assistant in 1987, was one of the youngest CEOs when she was appointed in 2009 to lead the now $1.3 billion, 130 office, 8,000 employee subsidiary of Publicis Groupe.
She is being honored for outstanding leadership spanning significant contributions to her company, to the greater advertising community, the development of others, plus personal and professional achievements.
“I’m honored to join an extraordinary group of women who have received this distinction,” Despond said, “and partner with the Chicago Advertising Federation in their mission to inspire creativity and foster momentum in Chicago’s advertising industry.”
Desmond did her part to keep the momentum here going this spring when she presided over SMG’s ground-breaking partnership with Twitter that brought in more participation from big brands like P&G, Coca-Cola, Microsoft and Wal-Mart that potentially could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars..
During her watch, SMG has earned more honors for work and talent than another media network in the world. In 2013 alone, it won 525 creative, media awards and Agency of the Year Distinctions,
In addition, Desmond’s many personal honors include being named by Forbes as one of the World’s Most Powerful Women, Mediaweek’s Executive of the Year, AWNY’s Woman of the Year and induction into the AAF’s Hall of Achievement.
Adding to all this, in July Desmond was elected chair of the national Advertising Council, of which she’d served as a director since 2008.
The CAF-hosted luncheon in her honor will be Nov. 12 at the Hyatt Regency, at what will be the 57th Ad Woman of the Year Award recognition event. Tickets are $95 for CAF members, $115 for non-members and you can register here.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Laura, one of the most influential media executives of our time,” said John Birmingham, Board President of the Chicago Advertising Federation. “Laura launched her career in Chicago and has gone on to make an indelible impact on our industry, both here and around the world.”
