NEW YORK, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Omnicom Media Group is expanding the scope of OPera USA, its media negotiating unit, to include professional procurement resources. OPera leverages the scale of Omnicom Media Group's resources and billings across media networks OMD, PHD, M2M and Prometheus. It was first launched in 2005 in EMEA and has since rolled out in 18 markets globally.
OPera brings together the media buying leaders of Omnicom Media Group companies to develop superior market intelligence, more informed negotiating strategies and, when it makes sense, to consolidate buying volume for the benefit of clients. "For a number of years now, OMD and PHD have been successfully following an OPera negotiating approach during the upfront TV market; we are now expanding this approach across multiple media types, and adding procurement expertise to our seasoned team of media buying experts," said Page Thompson, CEO of Omnicom Media Group North America.
"In today's environment, procurement is increasingly at the top of our clients' agenda. By adding procurement professionals to OPera, we'll not only do a better job of meeting client expectations, we'll be investing in our outstanding buying teams by providing them with the negotiating resources and training to keep them at the top of their game," said Daryl Simm, CEO Omnicom Media Group Worldwide.
Effective immediately, two procurement executives will join the OPera USA team:
-- Craig Glaser, currently Omnicom Media Group's Director of Procurement, will take on additional responsibilities for procurement initiatives across local broadcast and print. Prior to joining OMG, Glaser was Vice President of Corporate Sourcing for NBC Universal, where he had overall responsibility for all NBC sourcing, including the NBC Stations Group. -- DJ Martin will be responsible for procurement initiatives across National Broadcast Television vendors. He joins Omnicom Media Group on May 26 from Colgate Palmolive North America, where he was Director of Indirect Procurement and led a team of 14 procurement professionals responsible for strategic sourcing of services, including media.
The procurement executives will work with their fellow OPera team members to develop negotiating strategies; pricing and contractual terms with vendors; performance measurement of buys; and aid in the management of vendor relationships. The balance of the OPera team includes the respective OMD, PHD and OMG negotiating leaders for national TV, local TV and print media.
OPera reports to Thompson who noted, "OPera leverages Omnicom Media Group scale while balancing the preeminent importance of individual client needs within the distinct media service companies through all phases of strategy, planning, activation and execution."
About Omnicom Media Group
Omnicom Media Group is the media division of Omnicom Group Inc. . It includes client media service companies OMD Worldwide, PHD, M2M and Prometheus, as well other strategic business units. Omnicom Group Inc. (http://www.omnicomgroup.com/) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, media, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
Omnicom Media Group
CONTACT: Pat Sloan, Omnicom Media Group, +1-212-415-2109
Web Site: http://www.omnicomgroup.com/
