Charlie Rutman, CEO, MPG North America
Charlie Rutman is the Chief Executive Officer of MPG North America. In this role Charlie is responsible for the strategic direction and operations of MPG in Canada and the United States.
Since joining MPG in April 2005 Charlie has focused on two critical areas which happen to be key strengths of his - - client service and a first-rate product offering.
The results are undeniable. Over the past 2 1/2 years, MPG has engineered a new business turnaround that includes securing the Exxon-Mobil, Esurance, and Dannon accounts. In May 2007, the agency won the Sears Holding Company account (Sears and Kmart brands) which represented the 2nd largest account win in the industry for all of 2007
A knowledgeable and highly respected executive, Charlie has nearly 30 years of media service experience. He has worked for clients in almost every product category: packaged goods, retail, automotive, soft drinks, beer, quick service restaurants, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals and fashion.
He joined MPG after seven years at Carat USA, where he rose from Managing Director to President, a position he assumed in July 2001.
While at Carat, Charlie was a key new business force, instrumental in growing the agency through winning new accounts. During his tenure, Carat more than tripled in size and added such prestigious clients as Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, CBS Television, Adidas, New Line Cinema, Radio Shack and Midas Automotive, among others.
Prior to his years at Carat, Charlie headed up the consolidated media account for The Coca-Cola Company at DMB&B. He was responsible for 16 brands and 40 people in four offices, with over $300.0 million in media spending.
Charlie also spent 14 years at Backer & Spielvogel Bates as the Manager of its Media Department. In that capacity he supervised many important accounts, including Wendy's Restaurants, the CBS Television Network and the introduction of Hyundai Automotive into the U.S.
Charlie's opinion is frequently sought by the industry trade press as well as industry associates. He is a frequent panelist and speaker at various industry conferences and thought leadership sessions, and he is an active member of the AAAA's Media Policy Committee.
Charlie's efforts have been acknowledged throughout the industry. He was named a Media All Star by Marketing & Media Decisions in 1988 and he has been named a Media Maven by Advertising Age on two occasions: in 1998 and 2001. In late 2007 Charlie was honored by the prestigious Reisenbach Foundation.
