Bryan Kennedy has been named president and CEO of Epsilon, according to a memo from Mike Parks, chairman and CEO of Alliance Data, Data Epsilon’s parent company. He will work out of the company’s Dallas headquarters.
Kennedy succeeds Michael Iaccarino, the former CEO who was “relieved of his duties” at Epsilon earlier this month, according to an earlier memo announcing his departure. Kennedy will report directly to John Scullion, president and COO of Alliance Data. He will also be a member of the Alliance Data Executive Committee.
Kennedy started with Epsilon in 1996, when he was given the mandate to lead solution development. He was subsequently named Chief Technology Officer prior to assuming the COO role in 2001.
Kennedy told Direct Newsline that client management had been a part of every position he has held at Epsilon, and said that experience would serve him well as CEO. He also noted that the company has gone through an aggressive acquisition phase during the last few years, and said that his role as a key participant in those acquisitions gave him a solid view of Epsilon’s integrated offerings.
But he also noted that, at least for the next year or so, that period of growth through major acquisition was probably over. This is in part due to the current economic climate, and in part due to Epsilon’s ability to meet its clients’ needs in a variety of channels and capabilities.
That said, Kennedy is enthusiastic about Epsilon’s prospects. “I think the accountability of marketing budgets is going to be questioned more than ever, and that is what we do,” he said. “We start with strategy and analytics and measurement, and we believe all marketing should be accountable. We offer the opportunity to help our clients justify, shape and grow their budgets.”
In the memo announcing Kennedy’s promotion, Parks praised him as having “an excellent reputation both within Epsilon and Alliance Data as someone who leads with integrity and respect. He has a strong commitment to working with others to successfully achieve Epsilon’s goals and greatly values Epsilon and the associates.”
Before Kennedy’s selection, John Scullion, president and COO of Alliance Data, had taken responsibility for Epsilon’s day-to-day business. Scullion oversaw the selection process. There are no other changes within the Epsilon executive team, and Kennedy’s direct reports within the Marketing Technology division will continue to report to him.
