Chris Wilhelmi to Lead Global Data Strategy at Monks After Michael Cross Departs

A shuffling of knowledge management has taken place at S4 Capital’s Monks, the place Chris Wilhelmi has stepped in as govt vice chairman, head of worldwide information after Michael Cross, a 14-year veteran on the company, left the business final week.

Wilhelmi will oversee the company’s international information technique and lead the combination of its proprietary AI platform, Monks.Movement, throughout its operations. He initially joined Monks in late June as head of knowledge for North America, and now steps into the worldwide position after Cross’ exit.

He joins after an extended profession in data-driven advertising and marketing, holding management roles at IPG, Publicis, and R/GA and dealing with purchasers together with Basic Mills, American Categorical, Hulu, Verizon, Nike, and Samsung. Previous to Monks, he was most lately chief information and analytics officer at UM, the place he spent practically 9 years in information and analysis roles.

“I’m excited to affix an organization that’s been on the forefront of leveraging information and AI in advertising and marketing,” Wilhelmi informed ADWEEK. “Monks is basically in a novel place to create one thing that not solely integrates information, however does so in a method that resonates with purchasers and allows them to scale. It’s about taking a holistic view of the information and the way it matches into the bigger advertising and marketing ecosystem.”

Cross, who joined Monks in 2020 by way of its acquisition of Brightblue Consulting, shared on LinkedIn that he was departing the company to spend extra time along with his household.

“I’ve by no means labored with a stronger, smarter or higher crew, that I additionally very a lot loved spending time with,” he wrote. “I’ll miss all of them terribly.”

Inner and Exterior Focus

In his new position, Wilhelmi can have a twin deal with creating operational efficiencies inside Monks’ group whereas enhancing its information methods and options for purchasers.

He’ll begin by assessing Monks’ information capabilities globally, in addition to its efforts to centralize and streamline workflows throughout groups. “From there, we are able to mix the nice work being accomplished in numerous elements of the group and supply differentiated options for our purchasers,” he mentioned.

Wilhelmi will work intently with James Stephens, Monks’ lately appointed govt vice chairman, head of North America, to make sure information and insights are included throughout the company’s purchasers and operations within the area. North America is a spotlight for Monks; mum or dad firm S4 Capital’s like-for-like web income declined 10.5% within the Americas in Q1, at the same time as Latin America grew.

“His experience might be instrumental in bridging the hole between our purchasers’ brand-building targets and real-time measures of promoting efficacy,” Stephens mentioned of Wilhelmi.