Jim Tsokanos Named President, North America for Manning Selvage & Lee

Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L) today announced it has appointed Jim Tsokanos to president, North America.  Tsokanos will retain his role as managing director of MS&L New York and continue as a member of the agency’s Global Leadership Team.  His appointment is effective January 1, 2008.

“Jim’s history of financial performance and experience running our New York and Atlanta offices, as well as his commitment to staff, client relationships, innovation and change, make him a natural fit for this new role,” said Mark Hass, global chief executive officer of MS&L.        

As president, North America, Tsokanos will have responsibility for driving the firm’s growth strategy in North America, including business planning and management. 

Since his appointment in 2005 as EVP and MD of MS&L New York, Tsokanos has grown the office’s revenues by 25%, expanding relationships with global clients, and adding top new clients, including Heineken USA and Heidrick & Struggles.  He spearheaded the growth of the agency’s North American digital practice in New York and Ann Arbor, helped create the agency’s global insights and measurement group, and was a key driver of the launch of IM MS&L, the firm’s influencer marketing practice.  He also manages relationships with some of the agency’s largest clients, including Eli Lilly and Heineken.  This week, Tsokanos was named to PRWeek’s “40 Under 40” list of top communications executives under the age of 40 with impressive career achievements.

Tsokanos joined MS&L eight years ago as SVP, deputy managing director of its Atlanta office, later taking on the role of managing director.  There, he attracted new clients such as The Home Depot and the State of Georgia, grew existing client relationships and doubled the number of the office’s employees.  Under his leadership, revenues rose 40% and, today, the office is the largest PR firm in the southeast.  Prior to joining MS&L, he spent nearly 10 years at Ketchum and several years at Cohn & Wolfe.

Tsokanos is a guest lecturer at the New York University School of Communications Master’s program.  He supports the agency’s volunteerism program with the Hands on Network, assisting with several community projects in the New York metro area.  His workplace and leadership programs for MS&L’s New York and Atlanta offices have been featured in several publications including The New YorkTimes, New York Post and Atlanta Business Chronicle.

About Manning Selvage & Lee
MS&L is one of the world's leading global public relations firms. Headquartered in New York, MS&L has 54 offices throughout North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific, as well as an extensive global affiliate network.  The agency meets the needs of global and local clients by providing best-in-class services in consumer marketing PR, healthcare PR, corporate communications and technology communications, as well as industry-leading work in digital communications.  MS&L won PRWeek's Best Use of Internet/New Media Award in both 2006 and 2007.

MS&L is a member of the Publicis Groupe(Euronext Paris: FR0000130577 and NYSE: PUB), the world’s fourth largest communications group, and a global leader in digital and online advertising, media consulting, and healthcare communications. With some 42,000 professionals in 104 countries, the Groupe's activities cover advertising through three global advertising networks:  Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, as well as through its two multi-hub networks Fallon Worldwide and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; media agencies with two worldwide networks ZenithOptimedia and Starcom MediaVest Group; and marketing services, including digital and interactive communications through Digitas, relationship and direct marketing, public and media relations, corporate and financial communications, multicultural communications, and event communications. The Groupe is also the world leader in healthcare communications. Web site: www.publicisgroupe.com.

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