NEW YORK: Gavin Anderson (GA) poached the three senior-most VPs in Edelman's New York financial practice last week, including the deputy GM.
Moving to GA were Richard Mahony, EVP and deputy GM of the financial practice; EVP Bill McBride; and SVP Doug Donsky. All three will become MDs at GA.
"It's logical that somebody would look at our team and recognize the talent we have," said Matthew Harrington, head of Edelman's eastern region.
Edelman's global MD of financial communications and IR, Andrew Merrill, asserted that the agency's recent high-profile work has attracted talent-seeking competitors. He said the agency will "in very short order add additional senior talent." Merrill added that he doesn't expect any client losses as a result and that Mahony's position as deputy GM may cease to exist.
Montieth Illingworth, head of GA's New York office, said the three were "deeply attracted to our specialist abilities" and that Edelman was not specifically targeted for recruiting.
