New CEO announced as Gary Reynolds becomes Chairman of GMR
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Gary Reynolds, founder of global experiential marketing agency GMR, is stepping into the role of Chairman. Cameron Parsons, the agency’s COO, will be replacing him as global CEO.
Reynolds founded GMR in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1979. He is widely recognized as the industry pioneer who helped bring about brand experience marketing, a now multi-billion dollar industry.
Today, GMR has 17 offices across nine countries. The agency engineers experiences for some of the biggest brands in music, sports, entertainment and lifestyle.
“As GMR’s footprint continues to grow, the need for management that can deliver true global strategy and leadership is crucial,” says Reynolds. “Cameron’s extensive breadth of experience and success makes him the perfect person to take GMR and its clients to the next level.”
Reynolds will provide strategic, day-to-day counsel in his new role, while Parsons will lead everyday management across GMR’s hubs in the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific.
“GMR’s award-winning work and strong client relationships are a testament to Gary’s leadership,” says Parsons. “The opportunity to take his vision to the next level is an honour. I’m looking forward to enhancing GMR’s existing client partnerships and building new ones as we continue on our path to be the most significant and dynamic marketing agency in the world.”
GMR has created thousands of campaigns around iconic events including the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, Fashion Week, Sundance Film Festival and SXSW. Clients turn to GMR for everything from strategy, consulting and analytics to creative ideation and design, digital/mobile marketing, sponsorship activation, event production and hospitality. In 2014, Agency Post named GMR among the Ten Fastest Growing Mobile Marketing Agencies in the U.S.
“Cameron has been an integral part of our international network for nearly twenty years,” says Dale Adams, Chairman and CEO of The DAS Group of Companies. “Having worked very closely with him, I have no doubt that he’ll fuel GMR’s passion and innovation, delivering great results on behalf of our clients.”
Parsons has over 30 years of experience in the marketing industry. He joined GMR as Managing Director International in 2005. Prior to that, he served as both the Director of Operations for DAS Global in China and as GMR’s Managing Director in Asia Pacific. He has also led agencies in Los Angeles, Sydney and his hometown, Melbourne.
Parsons’ new position will be effective as of January 2015. He will continue to be based out of GMR’s global headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
