 |
| Andy Polansky |
Andy Polansky, CEO of IPG DXTRA and executive chairman of Weber Shandwick, will retire in June, wrapping up a nearly 40-year career in marketing communications.
"I wanted to leave while there is still a lot of gas in the tank," Polansky, who recently turned 60, told O'Dwyer's.
He has been thinking about retiring for quite a while and feels the time is ripe because the DXTRA operation is operating on all cylinders.
There a strong leadership team in place, especially at Weber Shandwick which is helmed by CEO Gail Heimann, that guided DXTRA through the digital and pandemic-related disruptions, according to Polansky.
Upon leaving DXTRA, he plans to counsel nonprofits, continue to mentor young people and serve on boards.
Polansky, who will celebrate his 35th wedding anniversary in May, also looks forward to doing some traveling "when we can."
He assumed the helm of Interpublic’s collective of 27 brands including Golin, Weber Shandwick, R&CPMK, Current Global and DeVries Global, in July 2019 following a seven-year run as CEO of Weber Shandwick.
Philippe Krakowsky, CEO of IPG, said the marketing services business is better for “Andy’s humanity, integrity and vision.”
He said the strong businesses and teams that Polansky built “are testament to his approach to leading with directness and compassion.”
Global Counsel managing director Benedict Brogan is joining FTI Consulting as a senior managing director within its strategic communications segment.
Lionsgate, which brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, promotes Laurel Pecchia to SVP, corporate communications... Anonymous Content, a New York-based film production and management company, recruits former Showtime/MTV executive vice president Liza Burnett Fefferman as chief communications and marketing officer, a newly created position... Legacy Motor Club brings on Ryan Grab as VP, marketing and communications.
Stagwell has named Lena Petersen, a veteran of MediaLink, Starcom MediaVest and Leo Burnett, chief brand and communications officer.
Carrie Healey has joined the National Association of Broadcasters as VP communications. Most recently, she was program lead at Purple Strategies.
HAVAS Red names Adeena Fried EVP health & wellness, based in New York... Genius Sports Limited, a provider of real-time sports data, names Tony Marlow as CMO... Deerfield Group, which works with clients in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, promotes Bill Veltre to chief media officer... The Public Affairs Council brings on Monica Day as senior manager in its political affairs practice, Deanna Wisniewski as senior manager of communications and Sam Kasner as manager of events. 
