Former erinMedia Exec Joins GM Planworks

Dr Michael Vinson has been appointed as SVP/Managing Director, Digital Insights and Analytics at GM Planworks, the General Motors-dedicated media planning arm of communications agency, Starcom Mediavest Group (SMG).

Based in the agency's Chicago HQ, Vinson will head the development of digital and media research for client, General Motors (GM), and lead advancements in digital audience measurement across the SMG network. He will also be responsible for developing new methods for measuring GM's marketing objectives, and for optimising its digital investment strategies.

Vinson was Chief Research Scientist at TV audience ratings firm erinMedia, prior to February when the firm laid off the majority of its staff (www.mrweb.com/drno/news6472.htm ).

Vinson reports to EVP/Chief Strategy Officer Mary Carpenter, and to GM Planworks EVP/Chief Digital Officer Curt Hecht. Dennis Donlin, CEO of GM Planworks says that the hire will support General Motors' requirement to gain more consumer insight and accountability from its advertising.

Before joining erinMedia, Vinson, who has a PhD in Theoretical Physics, was an academic at universities in four countries. He says he will apply the knowledge gained during this time, to developing advanced analytical methods for the growing digital media marketplace.

GM Planworks is 100% dedicated to the General Motors account, and provides communications planning and buying across all major traditional media, as well as digital expertise ranging from interactive television to web-enabled phones. Its parent firm is online at www.smvgroup.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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