Kantar Hires Boost Reputation Intelligence Arm

Kantar has appointed Gregory Aston as Global Head of Research, Digital Advertising Intelligence, based in New York; while Petra Mašínová joins as Global Director for Reputation Intelligence, based in Paris.

Aston most recently spent eleven years at Havas Media Group, latterly as SVP, Group Director, Insights & Data Strategy. Earlier, he worked for Mediaedge as Senior Partner, Director of Competitive Edge; and he spent eight years at Foote, Cone & Belding, latterly as VP, AD of Competitive Insights & Analysis. At Kantar, Aston will be responsible for developing and advancing digital ad methodologies, which provide paid ad intelligence across desktop, mobile, video, social, search and eCommerce search in fifteen countries.

Mašínová previously held senior roles at media intelligence group Isentia (Australia), Newton Media Group and McCann Consulting, as well as at government and corporations in London, Amsterdam and her native Czech Republic. In her new position, she will guide Kantar's reputation intelligence offer, helping clients to develop an understanding of their earned media impact across the digital environment.

Richard Asquith, Chief Product Officer, Media Division says of the appointments: 'We are thrilled to welcome Petra and Gregory to Kantar. Their experience and achievements are recognised across the industry and they will be a considerable asset to our talented global team of media research experts'.

WPP CEO Mark Read is currently driving a turnaround strategy which includes a formal process to sell Kantar; and on Friday, reports suggested that WPP has shortlisted four companies to submit bids to buy a majority stake in the firm.

Web site: www.kantar.com .