Get an insight into our work with IPG Mediabrands, and get inspired on how you can create greater success in your organisation.
IPG Mediabrands, is part of Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG). They are a global media agency with 8,500 employees, 130 offices in 90 countries, and multiple brands. They provide media strategy execution for advertisers and comprise a very diverse group of innovators; technologists, designers, scientists, musicians, strategists, buyers, thinkers, planners, and mathematicians, all committed to building new solutions for the world’s top brands.
Top talent
Henry Tajer, Chief Executive Officer, had developed a compelling vision and five-year plan for IPG Mediabrands, with the goal of bringing all brands together in order to better compete in the market and transform how they do business.
He realised that one of the key differentiators in this competitive market was attracting and retaining top talent as well as leveraging their skills to manage others. That would require, in part, greater leadership capability and accountability within IPG Mediabrands as well as a culture of feedback and recognition.
IPG Mediabrands has a talented learning and development team who had already done a lot of thinking before they came to Mannaz. What they wanted was a partner that could engage with them on the design and delivery of a programme; providing specific recommendations, design capability, and expert facilitation. The brief was to infuse creativity, insight, and experience that supplemented their own internal leadership expertise and reflected the new corporate values ‘Dynamic, Entrepreneurial and Empowered’. The ambition was for IPG Mediabrands and Mannaz to partner together to create an inspirational and transformative leadership programme that could be rolled out globally. Needless to say, the timing was tight!
Align and leverage skill set
Together with IPG Mediabrands, we designed a 70:20:10 12-month programme journey. Top talented professionals were invited to apply, explaining how they live the company values through their work, and 30 delegates were selected to become the first iteration of ‘D-30’ (Dynamic 30 top emerging leaders). We knew that the strong involvement from more senior management would be a key factor to success and 15 of them were invited to take part alongside the D-30 leaders.
Mannaz co-facilitated the initial residential workshop which focused on increasing self-reflection capabilities; identifying own values, leadership strengths and development areas; activating the IPG Mediabrands future vision and values; balancing leadership behaviours with the requirements of the company; leveraging the network of peers and executives and creating an action plan for success. All of this was wrapped around the three core values.
On-going mentorship between senior executives and the D-30 leaders underpinned the experience and deep learning was acquired by both groups.
Deliver learning in leaders’ real business context
The programme has been a resounding success and exceeded everyone’s expectations; those of the CEO, senior executives, c-suite leaders and internal faculty team. The real success came from:
The application of the 70:20:10 approach.
Ensuring that the experiential learning was delivered through real business challenges via the Mannaz “Leadership Lab” coaching and reflection process.
Having the active involvement of the most senior executives in the business, including the CEO, and co-design and co-facilitation.
The programme continues to provide significant impact and IPG Mediabrands is now working with Mannaz to launch the next iterations in Latin America and Europe.
The client partnership has been highly effective with IPG Mediabrands giving Mannaz a 93% satisfaction rating for the overall programme, 94% for the facilitator and 96% for customer service. All ratings were 10% above industry averages.
Mannaz was also invited to co-present with them at the ICEDR Conference on Organisational Transformation in London in 2016.
If you want to know more about this case or find out how we can help strengthen your company’s skills, then you are welcome to contact me.
