Reimagining media as distribution channels continue to evolve

Allen & Gerritsen (A&G), an independent agency with offices in Boston and Philadelphia, today announced that Elaine Tocci has joined the company as SVP, Media and Kara Hyde has joined as Media Director. Additionally, A&G has hired seven other media and analytics pros across both offices.

Tocci, an experienced media leader and former agency principal, is based in Boston with cross-office responsibilities for the agency’s quickly growing media team. Prior to A&G, Elaine was VP of Integrated Media at the AMP Agency, leading a team of integrated media and paid search directors and planners. Over the course of her career, Elaine’s vast knowledge of both digital and traditional media has helped deliver powerful results for such clients as John Hancock, Intuit and LexisNexis.

Kara Hyde also brings top-notch agency media chops to A&G, joining from Publicis Health Media. There, she led media campaigns for Sanofi Pasteur, Sanofi-Regeneron, AstraZeneca and Movantik, including its integrated media initiative for Super Bowl 50.

Tocci and Hyde will work together closely to bring Tocci’s vision for the future of the agency’s media group to life, and Hyde will lead on-the-ground media operations in A&G’s Philadelphia office.

"The leadership in media, across both offices, has never been stronger in my time here at A&G," said George Ward, Chief Engagement and Innovation Officer. "We consciously sought out individuals that could continue to modernize our practice, think holistically, and offer our clients new perspectives on the most effective use of their dollar, and Elaine and Kara are emblematic of those traits.”

“It’s my job as a media expert to always be in front of not just what’s new, but what’s coming next, particularly as the lines between paid, earned and owned continue to blur,” said Tocci. “As an agency, A&G is more well positioned than ever to capitalize on the intersection of distribution channels, given the in-agency media, strategy, experience strategy and PR talent. We add great value by tailoring integrated programs to meet each client’s individual media needs. I’m so excited to continue to build out the paid media team with a combination of traditional and digital experts to do just that.”

In recognition of measurement’s growing role in both media planning and its evaluation, it is no surprise that A&G’s analytics team is expanding as well.

In addition to Tocci and Hyde, the agency has hired seven new staffers in media and analytics:

• Alex Coffin, Analyst
• Jeff Crehan, Senior Digital Planner, Media
• Varsha Eluri, Manager, Analytics
• Brian Hopkins, Media Supervisor
• Lux Kanchuga, Media Coordinator
• Emily Nydick, Analyst
• Stela Salillari, Integrated Media Planner