B COM3 MERGES MEDIA GROUPS
By Adnews Staff
B Com3 Group of Chicago plans to merge its media operations, Starcom Worldwide and MediaVest Worldwide. The combined units will operate under a new holding company called Starcom MediaVest Group. Due to the possibility of client conflicts, the two operations will remain independent in North America and the U.K. MediaVest will serve as a sister company and operate in those markets where the two units will not merge. Heading the new holding company will be Jack Klues, CEO of Starcom Worldwide, who will be CEO of SMG. Bob Brennan, COO of Starcom, will be COO of SMG. Kevin Malloy will be executive vice president of SMG's international operations. Malloy will also assume the CEO post at MediaVest North America. B Com3 is a holding company formed following the recent merger of The Leo Group and The MacManus Group.