Data Science Expert Amps WE's Analytics

EXEC TO AMP UP CLIENT MEASUREMENT TOOLS TO SHOW COMMS IMPACT ON BUSINESS OUTCOMES

SEATTLE — April 20, 2016 — WE Communications today announced that Iris Laband will take the role of executive vice president of its Insight & Analytics (I&A) team. The former CDK Global director brings research and data science expertise that will help advance the agency’s analytics products, including its award-winning data mining and analytics platform, WE Infinity, which evaluates the business impact of a communications program.

Laband’s initial focus will be on elevating the technical ability of the agency’s staff and expanding its channels and analysis to provide even greater value to clients. She will also be responsible for ensuring WE’s global footprint has consistent analytics talent and capability in every market the agency serves, with a client-first focus.

Working out of WE’s Seattle headquarters, Laband will report to partner and co-founder Pam Edstrom. She will also work with Alan VanderMolen, president of International and WE+, to help expand the firm’s capabilities globally.

“With her experience in using data analytics to better understand customer sentiment and behavior — why they buy, where they buy and how they buy — Iris was an ideal fit for this role,” said Edstrom. “She’ll be able to expand on our capabilities in translating the value of communications in building brands to create business impact.”

At CDK Global, Laband established its first Research & Data Science Function, fueling product innovation and industry leadership. While there she also orchestrated analytics and optimization strategy and assembled its first OEM Business Intelligence consulting team. She has also served in analytics roles at ZAAZ and Cobalt Group. Laband holds a master of science and an MBA from Yale University.

“Every day, we get better at gleaning insights from mountains of data,” said Laband. “For a communications organization like WE, there is a big opportunity to better show clients the impact campaigns can have on transforming their businesses. It’s an exciting future for this team.”

The hire of Laband demonstrates the agency’s commitment to the value of analytics in communications. Long an industry leader, WE has developed multiple award-winning products to show the value communications campaigns can have on business outcomes.

About WE

WE works with some of the most innovative companies on the planet — those focused on delivering the next big thing. We partner with clients to transform their businesses through storytelling, in many different forms. Our playground is consumer, healthcare, social innovation and technology. Our fiercely independent mindset allows us the freedom to bring together the best talent, partners and ideas to create powerful, persuasive campaigns. That’s the power of WE. Shiny accolades like Cannes Lions, Integrated Communications Agency of the Year, Digital Firm of the Year, Best Large Agency to Work For, Communications Agency of the Year, Technology Agency of the Decade and, most recently, a PRWeek Award for Best Use of Social Media/Digital adorn our offices. But it's not about us, it's about our clients, their customers, and sparking a more elemental and immersive conversation. Talk soon.http://www.we-worldwide.com.

For more information, press only:Martin C. Pearce, [email protected], (425) 638-7812