Former Google Advertising Research Director and TeamDetroit Marketing Science SVP Joins Centro

Gunnard Johnson Will Serve as SVP of Data and Analytics at Centro;

Plays Key Role in Developing Analytics and Marketing Attribution Features in Centro’s Technology

CHICAGO, IL – June 17, 2014 – Centro (centro.net), a provider of digital media software and services, today announced the addition of Gunnard Johnson as SVP of Data and Analytics. Johnson strengthens Centro’s leadership team and will create a new group to drive audience measurement and advanced analytic solutions. As Centro ramps up big data applications in its technology, it will implement more data and predictability into its Centro Media Manager platform. Johnson will ensure that Centro incorporates robust easy-to-use analytics and marketing attribution features that meet the demand of brand and direct marketers alike.

Previously the Advertising Research Director for Google, Johnson led the Americas team and influenced Google’s push into brand measurement. An industry leader, Gunnard has worked with the IAB to define the next generation of engagement metrics, the ARF where he has spoken at multiple conferences on topics such as brand measurement and big data, and multiple consortium efforts to improve cross-media measurement via next generation media mix and attribution models. Prior to Google, Gunnard was the SVP of Marketing Science at WPP’s TeamDetroit, where he established a global data and analytics practice for Ford and diversified clients.

“Gunnard’s leadership in the field of data and analytics fits well with Centro’s mission to deliver clients the best performance based campaigns in the industry. His knowledge in creating the right media mix models for a wide variety of advertisers will be a valuable asset for the large scale campaigns we run on our platform,” said Scott Neslund, EVP of media operations. “By evaluating our proprietary data and using it as a catalyst for business success, Centro is offering clients a differentiated solution.”

“Measurability of performance is essential for driving brand dollars to digital at scale. The base of thousands of campaigns through our platform as well as being an industry-recognized organization puts Centro in a great position,” said Gunnard Johnson, SVP of Data and Analytics, Centro. “I am excited to apply data and analytic solutions on top of Centro’s technology platform in a real time, programmatic way to advance the understanding of how to make advertising work better."

Johnson brings nearly two decades of experience implementing data driven strategies for world-class organizations including TNS and Accenture. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Political Science and a M.S. in Industrial and Operations Engineering.

About Centro

Centro (centro.net) provides unified, cloud-based software to simplify digital media operations. Our media management platform streamlines and scales ad buys across all channels, accessing both guaranteed and biddable inventory, to achieve any campaign objective. Our holistic approach gives marketers a single system of record to fulfill their research, planning, buying, optimization and reporting needs. Since 2001, Centro has successfully planned and executed more than 100,000 local and national campaigns across all digital display platforms and ad format types. Headquartered in Chicago with 33 offices in North America, Centro’s success and commitment to culture has led to many accolades, including #1 on Crain’s Best Places to Work in Chicago in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Contact:
Anthony Loredo
anthony.loredo@centro.net
646-462-4888