Macromill Hires Nielsen's Swanson to Drive M&A

Tokyo-based online specialist Macromill has hired Derek Swanson for the newly created role of SVP of Strategy & Corporate Development, as it prepares to strengthen its focus on mergers and acquisitions, alliances and partnerships.

Macromill has grown both organically and through M&A activity. It recently acquired US-based research agency Acturus and neuromarketing specialist Centan, plus a 51% stake in Tokyo Survey Research; and also announced a partnership and capital alliance with W&S in Southeast Asia.

Swanson (pictured) joins from Nielsen, where he spent more than a decade in corporate development, based in New York. Prior to this, he spent eight years working on strategic opportunities for INTELSAT (formerly PanAmSat). According to Macromill, Swanson's track record overseeing M&A activity means he is perfectly positioned to lead the development, communication and execution of the group's overall strategy for investments and M&A.

Scott Ernst, Global CEO, comments: 'In recent years we have executed several successful mergers, acquisitions, alliances and partnerships and we plan to continue with that approach to drive non-organic growth. Derek's appointment both crystalizes and reinvigorates our strategy, providing renewed focus and energy on accelerating our performance through identifying and executing global business development opportunities'.

Web site: www.macromill.com .