G2 Elevates John Paulson to CEO, G2 U.S.; Other Staff Changes

G2 Worldwide has promoted John Paulson to CEO, G2 U.S., a new position. In his new role he will be responsible for G2’s 10 U.S. offices, which offer services in direct, interactive, shopper, design, promotional marketing and data consulting.

Most recently, Paulson headed the group’s digital arm, G2 Interactive. He will report to Joe Celia, G2’s global chairman and CEO.

Paulson has 15 years of industry experience, including management positions at DDB Worldwide, M&C Saatchi, Grey Interactive, J. Walter Thompson, Grey Advertising and MVBMS.

In a related development, industry veteran Wendy Lurrie joins G2 from DraftFCB, as president of the agency’s relationship marketing unit, G2 Direct & Digital. She reports to Paulson. At Draft, she had been general manager of the Draft New York office, then general manager of the 1200+ New York office of the newly formed DraftFCB.

Both Paulson’s and Lurrie’s position took effect Oct. 13.

This is a return engagement for Lurrie, who previously held executive positions at Grey Direct—predecessor to G2 Direct & Digital. Her most recent role there was as chief marketing and strategy officer. She replaces Larry Kimmel, who has run both G2 Direct & Digital and its earlier incarnation Grey Direct for the last 10 years. He is no longer the unit’s chairman and CEO. He will assume a new title within G2, which has what he calls “global responsibilities.” (Direct Newsline, Oct. 14, 2008)