HORIZON MEDIA APPOINTS GLOBAL TREND EXPERT KIRK OLSON AS DIRECTOR OFTRENDSIGHTS IN NEW YORK
New York, November 29, 2012 -- Horizon Media, the largest independent media services agency in the world and the fastest growing in the industry, announced today that it has hired one of the industry’s chief global trend analysts, Kirk Olson, as Director of TrendSights of its rapidly expanding WHY group. In his new role, Olson will create, develop and manage Horizon Media’s global trendspotting team, further establishing the agency as an authority on consumer insights and analysis. Olson will report directly to Sheri Roder, Horizon Media’s Chief of WHY.
Olson joins Horizon Media from Ipsos, where he served as VP of Social Spaces, Ipsos’s online market research community product. Prior to that, Olson held the positions of Director of Strategy and Insights at Passenger, a social brand intelligence firm, and also VP and Consumer Strategist at Iconoculture, the global consumer research and advisory firm. His client experience includes a collection of distinguished and reputable brands such as Target, Volvo, JP Morgan, Microsoft, Kraft Foods, Proctor & Gamble, American Express, Adidas, MTV Networks, Time Inc., Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures, Scripps Networks and A&E Networks.
“Kirk’s impressive background and extensive experience made him the clear choice for this critical role in a focal department of the agency, and we are delighted to have him join our team,” said Bill Koenigsberg, President, CEO and Founder, Horizon Media.
“We are leading the charge in identifying and converting shifts in the national and global zeitgeist into opportunities for Horizon and its clients,” said Sheri Roder, Chief of WHY for Horizon Media. “Kirk’s breadth and depth of experience in the field of trend analysis makes him uniquely qualified to do just that.”
Olson lives his work – fond of travel, linguistics, languages, social sciences and continuing education, and will soon receive his Master of Science in Strategic Communications from Columbia University.
“It is very easy for clients to become so focused on their specific business needs and overlook the cultural context. As a media agency, putting things into context is, in my opinion, central to how we deliver value. Horizon already does this very well or it wouldn’t be such a successful agency. By weaving TrendSights into the work we already do in strategy, planning, and activation, we can tell a more complete story. We bring audiences to life in ways that will help our clients see even more clearly the WHY behind our recommendations,” Olson said.
About Horizon Media
Horizon Media, Inc. is the largest independent media services company in the world and the fastest-growing. The company was founded in 1989, is headquartered in New York and has offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Horizon Media was chosen as 2011 Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost, 2010 U.S. Media Agency of the Year by Adweek/Brandweek/Mediaweek as well as by Ad Age and as one of the worlds ten most innovative marketing and advertising companies by Fast Company in 2011.
The company’s mission is “To create the most meaningful brand connections within the lives of people everywhere.” By delivering on this mission through a holistic approach to brand marketing, Horizon Media has become the fastest-growing media agency in the industry, with estimated billings of almost $4 billion and approximately 800 employees.
The company is also a founding member of Columbus Media International, a multi-national partnership of independent media agencies. For more information, please visit www.horizonmedia.com.
About Horizon Media
Horizon Media, Inc. is the largest independent media services company in the world and the fastest growing. The company was founded in 1989, is headquartered in New York and has offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Horizon Media was chosen as 2011 Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost, 2010 U.S. Media Agency of the Year by Adweek/Brandweek/Mediaweek as well as by Ad Age and as one of the worlds ten most innovative marketing and advertising companies by Fast Company in 2011.
The company’s mission is “To create the most meaningful brand connections within the lives of people everywhere.” By delivering on this mission through a holistic approach to brand marketing, Horizon Media has become the fastest-growing media agency in the industry, with estimated billings of almost $4 billion and approximately 800 employees.
The company is also a founding member of Columbus Media International, a multi-national partnership of independent media agencies. For more information, please visit www.horizonmedia.com.
Contact: Stephen Hall, 212-220-1744, shall@horizonmedia.com
