VML Announces Senior-level Client Engagement Promotions and Hires

Stephanie DeCelles has been promoted to managing director, client engagement. Since joining VML in 2012, DeCelles has brought a strategic focus, collaborative spirit and passion for the business that creates powerful work for her clients. Her client experience ranges from first-time advertisers to Fortune 500 companies, such as Gatorade, Colgate-Palmolive, MetLife and Sprint. DeCelles will continue to lead the PepsiCo team in North America, focusing on strategic planning and team management for VML’s work with Gatorade, Tropicana, Propel, Brisk and other PepsiCo portfolio initiatives. She will report to Jennifer McDonald, executive director.

Rich Fabritius has been promoted to managing director, client engagement. Since joining VML in 2016, Fabritius has managed relationships with key clients, such as The Navy Partnership, Keurig and Bridgestone North America. He has also been deeply involved in business development and driving strategies for both existing clients and employee growth. In his new role, Fabritius will lead a consolidated client engagement practice across VML’s Atlanta, Nashville and Memphis offices, while continuing his lead role on Bridgestone North America. Fabritius will be based in Atlanta and report to Rosanne Johnson, executive director.

Kate Frazier joins VML as managing director, client engagement. Frazier arrives at the Kansas City agency with more than 20 years’ experience, including the last 16 spent at in Boulder, Colorado. She will take an active role in the DICK’S Sporting Goods, NAPA and QuikTrip accounts, among others. She brings extensive experience from a range of brands, including Volkswagen, Microsoft, Kraft, MINI and Infiniti. Frazier will report to Jennifer McDonald, executive director.

Sharon Yee joins VML as managing director, client engagement. Yee will focus on leading and growing the Tyson business for VML within the WPP Team, “Hatchery.” Yee comes to VML with more than 20 years’ brand building and integrated marketing experience. She’s worked on iconic brands, such as Oreo, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Nivea, Hawaiian Tropic and Motorola, as well as flagship brands within Sanofi and ConAgra Foods, where she was director of integrated marketing. Yee will be based in Chicago, reporting to Julia Hammond, executive director, North America and WPP global team leader.

Mark Serres has been hired as group director, client engagement. Serres has more than 20 years of experience developing and implementing digital transformation strategies for both large and small companies, most recently as founder of marketing consulting firm Meteoric MKTG. He has worked on brands, such as Russell Athletic, Alaska Airlines, Allergan, Sanofi, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and AbbVie. Serres will oversee client engagements with Phillips 66 and United Rentals out of VML’s Kansas City office. He will report to Jordan Cochran, managing director, client engagement.

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About VML
VML is a global marketing agency that transforms brands through a connected consumer experience. Through every touch point we create, story we tell and relationship we build, we strive to inspire meaningful connections. Our clients include Bayer Animal Health, Bridgestone, Colgate-Palmolive, Electrolux/Frigidaire, Ford, Microsoft, NAPA AUTO PARTS, New Balance, PepsiCo, Sherwin-Williams Consumer Brands Group, Sprint, Tyson and Wendy’s.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VML joined the world’s largest communications services group, WPP, in 2001. We have more than 3,000 employees with principal offices in 33 locations across six continents, and are proud to have been included on Ad Age’s Agency A-List in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Visit www.vml.com for more information.