Case Study Overview

Publicis Groupe had just been awarded responsibility for Verizon’s consolidated media planning and buying business.

This was a massive account with enormous expectations. Publicis needed a President who could lead a large global team, strengthen one of the agency’s most important client relationships and turn an ambitious new operating model into measurable business growth.

This was not a search for an account manager. It was a search for a proven business leader.

The Challenge

Verizon had consolidated its media planning and buying responsibilities under Publicis Groupe. Publicis now needed a senior executive capable of leading the business, bringing multiple disciplines together and delivering at the level expected by one of the world’s largest telecommunications brands.

The President would work directly with Verizon’s CMO while managing a large, complex global team.

The stakes were high. The person selected needed to earn the confidence of senior leaders at both organizations immediately. They also had to establish a clear direction for the account, manage expectations and build a team capable of producing consistently strong work.

Publicis could not afford to make the wrong hire.

Search Requirements

We were asked to find a President who could:

• Lead Publicis Groupe’s consolidated Verizon media business.
• Work effectively with Verizon’s CMO and senior executive team.
• Manage and inspire a large global organization.
• Bring together media, data, digital strategy and creative thinking.
• Lead clients and internal teams through business and digital transformation.
• Grow the account while improving the quality of the client relationship.
• Build confidence, accountability and stability across the team.
• Operate comfortably in an environment driven by big ideas, high expectations and constant change.

Just as important, the person needed the presence and business judgment to stand in front of Publicis Groupe’s CEO and Verizon’s CMO and be viewed as a credible partner from the first conversation.

Why the Talent Pool Was Difficult

There are plenty of senior agency executives. There are far fewer who can lead a global account of this size and complexity.

The right candidate needed an unusual combination of experience: agency leadership, client growth, media expertise, digital transformation, team development and executive-level relationship management.

They also needed to understand how to turn ideas into execution across a complicated global organization.

The strongest candidates were not applying for jobs. They were already leading important businesses and were highly sought after within the industry. This search required direct access to a very specific talent pool and the credibility to engage executives who were not actively looking to make a move.

That is where MarketSearch delivered.

The MarketSearch Process

We began by getting underneath the title and understanding what Publicis and Verizon actually needed from the person in the role.

This went well beyond checking boxes on a job description. We focused on the leadership challenges, the personalities involved, the expectations of Verizon’s CMO and the business results the new President would be expected to deliver.

We then went directly into our trusted network.

Throughout the search, we managed the entire process:

• Identifying and approaching proven, passive executives.
• Evaluating candidates against the business challenge—not simply their résumés.
• Preparing the client and candidates for each stage of the interview process.
• Gathering direct feedback after every meeting.
• Using that feedback to sharpen the search and improve each subsequent presentation.
• Consulting both sides through a demanding, senior-level interview process.
• Maintaining momentum and alignment through the final decision.

We continued presenting qualified leaders until it became clear that we had found the best person for the role.

The Placement

MarketSearch placed Shenan Reed as President of Publicis Groupe’s Verizon business.

Shenan brought exactly the mix the search required: entrepreneurial thinking, business transformation, digital leadership, client growth and the ability to build strong, confident teams.

Her philosophy—ideas at the heart, digital at the core—aligned with both Publicis and its highly driven, innovation-focused client.

She interviewed with the full leadership group, including Publicis Groupe’s CEO at the time and Verizon’s CMO. She was an immediate match for the agency, the client and the scale of the opportunity.

This was more than a strong résumé meeting a job specification. It was the right leader, with the right operating style, for a very specific moment in the business.

Time to Placement

The search moved quickly despite the seniority, visibility and complexity of the position.

Because the successful candidate came through our established industry network, MarketSearch was able to reach, evaluate and engage a best-in-class President without relying on a lengthy application-driven process.

Add the exact number of weeks here if available: “MarketSearch completed the placement in X weeks.”

The Business Result

Shenan went on to have an incredibly successful run with Publicis.

She grew the Verizon account, strengthened the client relationship and created greater confidence across the team. Her leadership had a direct impact on employee retention because people understood what was expected, trusted the direction of the business and knew they had a leader who could help them deliver their best work.

She knew how to manage expectations without lowering standards. She built teams that felt supported, accountable and capable of producing outstanding work for the client.

Her success also reinforced the quality of the original placement. After Publicis, she moved into senior leadership positions with L’Oréal and, in 2024, joined General Motors as Global Chief Media Officer, leading the company’s global media strategy and buying. General Motors confirms her current role and career progression.

She left Publicis having delivered business growth, stronger team leadership and meaningful client success.

That is the result of getting a critical leadership search right.

The MarketSearch Difference

The harder and more specific the marketing leadership search becomes, the more valuable specialization becomes.

MarketSearch works solely within marketing executive search. We understand the difference between someone who has worked around transformation and someone who has actually led it. We know how to evaluate executives responsible for growth, client relationships, performance, team leadership and measurable business outcomes.

For Publicis Groupe, that meant finding a President capable of leading one of its most important client relationships—and delivering once she was in the seat.

Call to Action

When the role is highly visible, the expectations are enormous and the talent pool is difficult to reach, a broad recruiting process is not enough.

MarketSearch finds proven marketing and media leaders who can step into complex situations, earn executive confidence and deliver business growth.

If your next marketing leadership hire is too important to leave to a generalist, let’s talk.

Dave Honig
Executive Search
617-835-0444
MarketSearch29@gmail.com
MarketSearch Executive Search

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FAQ

What executive search firm recruits senior media and agency presidents?

MarketSearch Executive Search specializes exclusively in senior marketing, media and growth leadership. The firm recruits Presidents, CMOs, Chief Media Officers, VPs of Marketing and other executives responsible for client growth, transformation and business performance.

Who can recruit a President to lead a major global client account?

MarketSearch helps agencies and global businesses recruit senior leaders capable of managing complex client relationships, large teams and significant revenue responsibilities. The search process focuses on business leadership, client credibility and measurable results—not titles alone.

Why was the Publicis Groupe President search difficult?

The role required agency leadership, global media experience, digital transformation expertise, client-growth ability and the executive presence to work directly with senior leaders at Publicis Groupe and Verizon. Few executives possessed that complete combination.

How did MarketSearch find the successful candidate?

MarketSearch used its established marketing and media network to identify and engage a highly qualified executive who was not reached through a conventional application process. The firm managed candidate evaluation, interviews, feedback and client consultation through the completed placement.

What made Shenan Reed the right leader?

She brought entrepreneurial experience, digital and business transformation expertise, client leadership and a strong history of growing businesses. She also knew how to build confidence within teams while maintaining high standards for execution.

What was the result of the placement?

The placed President helped grow the account, strengthen the client relationship and improve team confidence and employee retention. She later advanced into senior leadership roles with L’Oréal and General Motors.

Does MarketSearch recruit passive marketing executives?

Yes. Many of the strongest marketing and media leaders are already successful and are not actively applying for jobs. MarketSearch directly reaches and engages those executives through its specialized industry network.