The ANA has revealed the 2021 recipients of its Rising Marketing Star Awards. The four honorees, all age 30 or under, were nominated by senior executives at their companies for having met the following criteria: Made valuable contributions to the overall excellence/effectiveness of their marketing organization; demonstrated leadership, innovation, creativity, and accountability in executing their marketing responsibilities; exemplified skill in integrating marketing disciplines and working with other professionals; and exhibited knowledge of current issues in advertising and familiarity with the tools marketers are using to reach their audiences.
This year’s award recipients are:
- Georgie Manera, associate brand manager, Listerine Professional, Johnson & Johnson Consumer. Manera has six years of professional experience in marketing and sales across the project management, financial services, and consumer goods industries. Her co-op experiences fueled her passion for brand management in CPG, especially within skincare. After graduating from Drexel University, she joined Johnson & Johnson’s Marketing Leadership Development Program and has worked in the company’s Florida, California, and New Jersey offices.
- Simmy Bhargava, director of content, dentsu good. Bhargava joined dentsu in 2017 as the content associate director on Microsoft and was promoted to director of content at dentsu good due to her extensive client work and efforts on launching and developing dentsu’s audio program, More Than That with Gia Peppers. She also serves as a Multicultural Advertising intern program coach, manages communications for The Code mentorship program, and is a member of the Multicultural BRG.
- Mary Myles, VP, digital marketing, BlackRock. Myles is a vice president in BlackRock’s Global Digital Marketing Group and is currently serving as the COO of the digital team, managing strategy and operations for a team of 85 people across seven offices globally. Prior to BlackRock, she was a Teach For America teacher in Harlem, N.Y. and South Oak Cliff, Texas. She is currently pursuing her M.B.A. from Columbia Business School with an expected graduation of May 2022.
- Elysia Cook McDermott, copywriting manager, Dexcom. Cook McDermott manages copy strategy and output at Dexcom, where she was the first writer hired for the brand’s global marketing division. She spearheaded the development of healthcare provider-focused multimedia content, leading to a broadened role including creative direction and end-to-end photo shoot and video production. She has collaborated with the National Institute of Health, Walgreens, and Vitamin Angels, and is committed to using her skills to promote health equity.
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakers’ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including “Death of Mr. Peanut.” He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose “First Kid. Second Kid” campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. He’s gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. He’s accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
“Mike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,” said Goldberg. “Mike’s got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. He’s got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what we’re about.”
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