New Research Leader for MediaVest

Brand-building media services provider MediaVest USA has appointed Jim Kite, previously of Universal McCann, as its EVP, Director of Insights, Research and Accountability. He succeeds MaryEllen Vincent who has left the agency to pursue personal interests.

Kite's duties include establishing the vision of the company's consumer insight initiatives and general research services, plus developing and overseeing consumer insight tools for the Group in Canada and Latin America.

He reports to Laura Desmond, CEO, MediaVest USA for US functions and to Renetta McCann, CEO, SMG Americas, and Kate Sirkin, EVP, Global Director of Research, for international. Kite also joins MediaVest's Executive Management Team.

At Universal McCann Kite developed proprietary research, insight and non-econometric modelling planning tools. From 1997-2004 he worked in London as EVP, Director of Global Research/European Research Director and was lead researcher for UMs key international clients including GM, UPS, and L'Oreal. He was then transferred to the US as EVP, Director of Global Research / North American Research Director.

MediaVest is a division of the Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG), a subsidiary of Paris-based Publicis. It is online at www.mediavestww.com

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