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Suhaila Hobba
Global Head of Interpublic Group (IPG) at Verizon Media
Professional Background
Suhaila Hobba is a dynamic and innovative business leader with an impressive 25 years of experience at the intersection of data, analytics, and technology in the advertising and marketing industry. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to develop solutions that are not only strategic but also transformative, enabling organizations to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
As the Global Head of Interpublic Group (IPG) at Verizon Media, Suhaila leads with a vision that prioritizes both creativity and measurable results. Her role demands a deep understanding of the complexities of the advertising ecosystem, and she excels at fostering relationships with C-level stakeholders, colleagues, and business partners. This relationship-driven approach has been a hallmark of her career, positioning her as a trusted partner in strategic decision-making across various levels of an organization.
Suhaila has a proven track record of building and managing high-performance teams. Her leadership style is characterized by a commitment to quality and innovation, continuously steering her teams towards achieving business goals while driving sustainable revenue growth. Her agile mindset allows her to navigate the ever-changing landscapes of the industry, making informed decisions even in ambiguous circumstances and consistently delivering quality results.
A humble leader, Suhaila exemplifies the principles of active listening and lifelong learning. She possesses the unique ability to articulate a clear vision while inspiring those around her to execute it with energy and creativity. Her commitment to fostering an inclusive environment encourages collaboration and innovation, which are essential in today’s fast-paced business climate.
Education and Achievements
Suhaila Hobba's educational background includes a Master of Science in Advertising and Marketing Communications from Boston University, coupled with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. This strong academic foundation has equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the competitive world of advertising and marketing.
Her career trajectory is filled with impressive positions at some of the industry's leading organizations. Prior to her current role at IPG, Suhaila served as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Investment at Initiative, where she was instrumental in driving innovative digital strategies that reshaped client partnerships and elevated brand narratives.
Notably, her experience as Senior Vice President and Group Digital Director at MediaVest further expanded her expertise, allowing her to harness digital channels for maximum impact. She has also held prominent positions such as Senior Partner and Director of Digital Strategy at Mediacom, where she made substantial contributions to developing cutting-edge digital marketing solutions tailored to client needs.
Suhaila's diverse career includes other significant roles, such as VP of Advertising Strategy & Partnerships at My Damn Channel and Director of Brand Strategy at NBC Universal Digital Studio. With a wealth of experience, she has navigated dynamic and matrixed environments, often influencing executive teams to drive business objectives effectively.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Suhaila Hobba has accumulated numerous achievements that speak to her expertise and impact within the advertising and marketing industry. She has consistently demonstrated her ability to foster relationships and generate quality work, leading to significant business outcomes. Her strategic insights have contributed to sustainable revenue growth for the organizations she has been a part of, making her a valuable asset in various capacities.
Whether it was through her role as East Coast Director of Digital at OMD Worldwide or her experience as Senior Partner and Global Media Director at mOne Worldwide, Suhaila has a proven history of overcoming challenges and leveraging opportunities within a rapidly evolving industry. Her analytical mindset, combined with her passion for innovation, positions her as a thought leader in modern advertising.
In all her endeavors, Suhaila remains committed to creating a collaborative and inclusive workspace, where creativity can flourish and effective strategies can be developed to meet the needs of clients and markets alike. Her relentless drive to deliver quality and her deep understanding of market dynamics have made her a respected figure among peers and followers in the industry.
Highlights
🌅 Team bonding and a good group selfie? Yes, please!
With summer coming to a close, I can't help but reflect on a couple of my favorite moments with our Vans team. Whether it's capturing the perfect sunset on a cruise (thanks to our friends at The Trade Desk!) or geeking out over a special screening of Deadpool & Wolverine to celebrate the Vans "Always Pushing" brand anthem in partnership with National CineMedia (NCM) with our Vans clients, Casey Rosett, Jonathan Fan, Katrina Hofmann and the Vans marketing team, we made sure to capture every moment—especially in selfies! 😎📸
It's so rare these days to pause, connect, and just enjoy time together as a team, but it's these moments that truly help us bond and push forward.
Teamwork, laughter, and a little bit of that Vans spirit — couldn’t ask for more!
#TeamVans #AlwaysPushing #Grateful
Lauren Gray Elise Coyne Liz Militello Will Briseno Nicholas Sena Brian Pressman Anmol Bhavnani Deborah Green Jessica Wong Mason Camilleri Tim Brigham, MSM Max First Danielle Soriano William Kinsella Juliana Roberts Joseph Alfarero Nicholas Hernandez Colton Kowalski
🌟 Cannes Lions 2024: A Journey of Inspiration and Growth 🌟 Reflecting on my Cannes Lions experience this year, I am filled with gratitude and inspiration. My first Cannes was in 2007 when OMD won its first Media Gold Lion for Doritos' Crash The Super Bowl, a media plan that included YouTube and MySpace!
This is my 12th Cannes, first agency-side since 2013 and my 2nd with OMD. This year, OMD Worldwide won Cannes Lions Media Network of the Year! It's been an incredible year under George Manas' leadership!
Many ask about the differences between attending Cannes as a salesperson versus an agency person. In sales, planning starts right after CES, involving strategic planning, client alignment, and briefing leadership on business impact. I learned the importance of building strong client relationships and delivering business impact through well-planned client interactions.
This year on the agency-side, I focused on deepening client relationships and discussing ways to elevate our work, emphasizing change management and leadership. We explored the outstanding work and sessions at the Palais, gathered inspiration, stayed informed on industry trends, and connected with other CMOs.
📚 Highlights from Inspiring Sessions 📚 CMOs In The Spotlight Series hosted by Jim Stengel Key skills for future CMOs include adaptability, curiosity, great listening and leading with kindness and being transparent. The role is evolving with a focus on technology and its impact on consumers.
Exploring Amazon Port: A Healthcare Perspective A standout moment was touring Amazon Port with our Exact Sciences clients, exploring how Amazon Ads bridges the gap between healthcare brands and consumers. It was enlightening to see Amazon Ads’ strategic approach to healthcare. And I loved spending quality time with Jaime LaMontagne (CMO) and Jeremy Truxal (VP, Marketing)!
Lift As We Climb Panel hosted by The Female Quotient Moderated by Elizabeth Herbst-Brady (Yahoo), with panelists Jessica Ling (Amex), Cara Pratt (Kroger), and Julie Bowerman (Kellanova), this discussion focused on empowering women's leadership. Confidence, empathy, and resilience were emphasized, along with the need for women to support each other.
🌟 The Heart of Cannes: People and Connections 🌟 A favorite event was gathering with the Gold House community, emphasizing the need for representation and investment in the API community in advertising and media. Huge thanks to Gold House, Pinterest, Rose Yan, Helen Lin, and Michelle Tang for your leadership.
While creative work and awards remain central, Cannes is truly about people and connections. Soak in every moment, learn from every conversation, and bring these insights back to drive innovation and change.
Thank you to everyone who made this Cannes experience unforgettable. Here’s to many more years of inspiration and growth!
#CannesLions2024 #Marketing #OMDWorldwide #Inspiration #Leadership #API #APIRepresentation #CannesLions #Cannes
