Wunderman Promotes Kessel, Ross at RTC

Wunderman has promoted two leaders at its RTC Relationship Marketing unit in Washington, DC.

Barry Kessel

Jeffrey Ross

Wunderman last week promoted Barry Kessel to CEO of the direct-marketing shop, and promoted Jeffrey Ross to president, a new post.

Kessel had been senior strategist at RTC; he replaces Becky Chidester, who vacated the CEO spot in November 2005 for another post within Wunderman. Kessel, who served a stint as president and managing director of Wunderman New York, is expected to leverage RTC's work with WPP Group sister shops, and oversee new business.

"Barry brings deep connections across the WPP network. This has been key to RTC's historic success. His complete grasp of the relationship marketing business and what clients need to be successful in the digital age makes him perfect to lead RTC at this time," said Wunderman CEO Daniel Morel in a statement.

Ross had been executive VP at RTC. As president, he manages day-to-day operations and will continue to serve as senior counselor to RTC healthcare clients including Abbott Laboratories, Sanofi-Aventis, Berlex, GlaxoSmithKline and AARP Services Inc.

Wunderman ranked No. 20 in the 2005 PROMO 100 with estimated net revenues of $194.5 million for 2004, up an estimated 10% from 2002.

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