Proven media leader brings a wealth of agency and corporate experience to Milwaukee-based firm.
Michelle Millar has been named vice president and group director of media and activation at Hanson Dodge (HD), an advertising agency headquartered in Milwaukee, WI.
A seasoned media strategist and team leader with 24 years in the industry, Millar brings a wealth of experience in media planning, ideation, negotiation, and departmental design and leadership to HD. Her expertise spans a wide array of digital, social, and traditional channels. Over the course of her career, she has managed annual media budgets ranging from several hundred thousand dollars to more than $100 million.
Millar held senior roles in Minneapolis-based agencies Riley Hayes Advertising and Haworth Marketing & Media before launching her own consultancy, Cake Shop Media. Her client experience includes 3M, Allen Edmonds, American Express, Best Buy, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Carlson Hotels, Delta Air Lines, Deluxe Corp, Radisson, Select Comfort, Target Corporation, Traditional Medicinals, and US Bank.
From 2005-2009, Millar served as a senior marketing communications manager at Best Buy, where she led an integrated team focused on increasing market share for the $43 billion electronics retail giant. Millar also managed Best Buy’s relationship with its digital agency (Razorfish). She was recognized twice by Best Buy’s CEO and Vice Chairman with the company’s President’s Award for her expertise in cross functional innovation and brand strategy. She also received a Pillar Award for her negotiation skills.
Mike Stefaniak, HD’s chief strategy officer, said that Millar brings significant new firepower to the agency.
“We’re delighted to add a leader with Michelle’s depth and breadth of knowledge and experience,” Stefaniak noted. “In the coming months, she’ll focus on building out HD’s media and activation team, and deploying advanced processes to guide our everyday work. Under Michelle’s leadership, we’ll be able to make an even bigger impact on our clients’ businesses.”
Said Millar, “I wasn’t actively looking to return to a full-service agency. But HD offered a rare blend of ambitious and diverse clients, a culture full of courageous and kind people, and the chance to grow and shape a media function within a firm that’s at once highly creative and deeply digital. That combination was too inspiring to pass up.”
About Hanson Dodge
Hanson Dodge is a fully integrated, deeply digital advertising agency known for helping brands make the next great leap in their businesses. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Hanson Dodge has been inspiring consumers and delivering transformational business impact for more than 30 years.
