Alicia Wadas, chief operating officer of LAVIDGE, has been named president of the Intermarket Agency Network (IAN), a closed forum where prestigious and noncompetitive agencies connect to share ideas and business strategies.
As president of IAN, Wadas will facilitate national business meetings as well as oversee the 15 elite agency affiliates of the organization and their activities. With members from all over the United States, the IAN boasts representation from cities like Memphis, Portland, Dallas, Atlanta and New York City.
“To be voted president by the very people whom I admire and respect most in this industry is truly an honor,” said Wadas. “I look forward to IAN’s future as president.”
Managing a group of well-respected leaders is something that Wadas is used to handling. Since joining LAVIDGE in 2004, Wadas has worked closely with founder and CEO Bill Lavidge to grow the locally based full-service advertising and marketing shop into one of the leading agencies in the Southwest.
While Wadas’ functions include client satisfaction and agency-wide operational oversight, CEO Bill Lavidge also defines her job as “handling the hard stuff,” including the unforeseen challenges that agencies face every day. She has also helped the agency earn distinct honors including Top 25 Best Workplaces for Women, Phoenix Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” and No. 1 ad agency, graphic design firm, interactive and public relations firm by Ranking Arizona during that stretch.
Alicia is accompanied by two additional industry leaders on the IAN board. Tom Flynn of Lessing-Flynn in Des Moines, Iowa will serve as vice president and Jack Borgmeyer of Borgmeyer Marketing Group in St. Charles, Mo. was appointed secretary.
