– Newly Created Role Underscores Horizon's
Focus on Enterprise Innovation, Technology Transformation, and
Client-Centered Growth –
NEW
YORK, Jan. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon
Media Holdings, the parent company of Horizon Media, today
announced the appointment of Bob
Lord as President. With a career spanning more than
three decades at the intersection of marketing, media, and
technology, Lord's leadership and expertise in digital
transformation and innovation will help drive the next phase of
growth for Horizon Media Holdings – meeting client demand and
creating transformative value for clients across its
portfolio. The newly created role will report to Horizon's
CEO and founder, Bill
Koenigsberg.
Horizon Media Holdings, the privately-held umbrella organization
that includes Horizon Media – the world's largest independent media
agency – also houses affiliate agencies including Horizon Next
(full-service marketing); Night Market (commerce); One Horizon
(full-service advertising); HS&E (sports and experiential) Blue
Hour Studios (social agency); First Tube (moments marketing); 305
(multicultural); and Green Thread (B2B marketing). As
President, Lord will oversee the development and alignment of the
company's diversified businesses across each of its offices,
integrating advanced technologies, data accessibility, and
innovative solutions to ensure Horizon remains at the forefront of
helping clients solve new challenges in an ever-evolving marketing
landscape. He will also lead the company's international
strategy.
Lord, who stepped away from the marketing and media industry for
nearly a decade to take on leadership roles in advanced technology,
has a distinguished career driving enterprise transformation and
innovation. As IBM's first Chief Digital Officer, he infused
AI across IBM's applications, revolutionized its go-to-market
strategy, and launched a groundbreaking initiative, Call for Code,
to address societal challenges using advanced technology. He
successfully divested core units to align with IBM's business
strategy and orchestrated the sale of The Weather Company, which he
led for two years, to a private equity partner. Earlier, as
President of AOL, he led the development of an industry-leading
programmatic media platform, transforming the digital advertising
landscape. As Global CEO of Razorfish, he oversaw the
company's transformation into a global leader in digital marketing
and its acquisition by Publicis Groupe.
"Bob's extraordinary track record is synonymous with
transformation," said Koenigsberg. "His accomplishments
across technology, innovation, and business transformation make him
the ideal leader to drive Horizon Holdings forward. He brings
a unique executive leadership at the nexus of media, marketing, and
technology, and his experience leading digital ecosystems, building
media platforms, and scaling global agencies aligns perfectly with
our vision for growth. With Bob's ability to harness advanced
technology to build ecosystems that not only solve complex
challenges but also drive real growth for clients, we are set to go
deeper into new frontiers while strengthening our core. I
look forward to working with him to ensure we remain agile,
forward-thinking, and deeply attuned to the voice of our clients,
redefining what it means to be an independent, tech-centered, and
people-first organization."
Lord serves on the boards of Integral Ad Science (NASDAQ: IAS)
and Finance of America (NYSE: FOA), as well as private companies
Delve and Certified Collectibles Group (CCG). He has
previously served on the boards of Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM),
various Blackstone portfolio companies, AquaFinance, and
Screenvision Media. In addition, he is currently an Executive
Fellow at Harvard Business School
teaching in the entrepreneurial program "Scaling Technology
Ventures."
"I am honored to join Horizon Holdings and contribute to shaping
its next chapter," said Lord. "Horizon Media has built an
incredible reputation for delivering innovative, client-first media
solutions, and Horizon Holdings represents an exciting opportunity
to build on this foundation. Stepping away from media and
marketing for almost a decade to immerse myself in AI, data, and
quantum computing was a transformative experience – one that
provided invaluable insights into how advanced technologies can
unlock new possibilities, solve challenges, and revolutionize
business and society."
"Now, he continued, "I'm focused on bringing this experience
back to the marketing and media industry to modernize technology
tool sets with AI and allow greater transparency into consumer
data. This approach will help to maximize ROAS and deliver an
increased value exchange for brands and their customers.
Horizon Media Holdings and its long history of media innovation is
uniquely positioned to lead this revolution. Together with
Bill and the broader team, we'll explore new opportunities, develop
bold solutions driven by real-time data insights, and utilize
Large Language Models (LLMs) and cutting-edge data tools to create
an integrated open marketing platform and ecosystem for our clients
and partners."
Lord has been named one of CRN's 50 "Most Influential" Channel
Chiefs and one of Adweek's Top 50 Media, Marketing and Tech
Executives. He also co-authored a book, "CONVERGE:
Transforming Business at the Intersection of Marketing and
Technology." Lord holds a BS in Industrial Engineering and
Operations Research from Syracuse
University and an MBA from Harvard
Business School.
About Horizon Media Holdings
Horizon Media
Holdings is the privately-held parent company of Horizon Media, the
largest U.S. media agency and the largest independent globally,
with additional portfolio companies including – Horizon Next
(full-service marketing); Night Market (commerce); One Horizon
(full-service advertising); HS&E (sports and experiential);
Blue Hour Studios (social agency); First Tube (moments marketing);
305 (multicultural); and Green Thread (B2B marketing).
Horizon Holdings drives enterprise-level innovation, fosters
collaboration across its portfolio, and explores new growth
opportunities and technology solutions to help its clients navigate
the shifting marketing challenges of today and tomorrow.
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SOURCE Horizon Media
