MediaLink, an Ascential company, announced that Kathleen Saxton will join the advisory firm as Executive Vice President and Managing Director on 1 September to lead and expand its European operations. Based in London, she will report to Michael Kassan, Chairman and CEO of MediaLink. Saxton’s remit will be wide-ranging, spanning business growth, agency selection, talent advisory and strategic consulting.

Saxton brings to MediaLink more than twenty years of sales, marketing, media and executive search experience, spanning a variety of roles at media companies, agencies and search firms. Most recently as founder of The Lighthouse, she led the firm across the marketing landscape to advise and represent senior executives, optimise organisations, create new working models, and build Superteams. A qualified psychotherapist and Founder of Psyched Global, Saxton specializes in applying psychology to all elements of her work within the boardroom. After more than a decade, leading The Lighthouse globally, she joins MediaLink to pursue her growing passion for applying her broad depth of experience to the wider industry and will retain her psychotherapy practice as part of her new role.

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“At the core of every successful marketing organisation is superior talent, and the experts who help executives make hiring and organisational decisions need a deep understanding of the industry, the leadership and the culture of a company,” said Kassan. “Kathleen has earned incredible trust from dozens of decision makers who have relied on her to help them navigate change and build teams designed to master the dynamics of our ever-changing challenges and opportunities. It has taken me several years to entice Kathleen to join me and the leadership team at MediaLink and I’m delighted the timing was finally right for us both.”

Prior to founding The Lighthouse in 2009, Saxton was founding partner for Grace Blue Worldwide, an executive search and acquisition firm serving the consumer, media, marketing & communications ecosystem. Having started her career in 1990, she held a number of roles in sales, media, and advertising. Her media sales roles spanned organisations including Sky Television, Global Radio, Bauer and DCM. In 2000, she joined the board of Omnicom’s PHD, as business development director, and in 2004, she joined Saatchi and Saatchi as their board marketing director. Before Grace Blue, she was also director of strategy and planning at Virgin Radio. She is also co-founder and Chair of the Advisory Council for Advertising Week Europe, now in its 8th year in Europe.

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“MediaLink is a powerhouse around the world, and the breadth of advisory functions they have developed is mightily impressive. I am thrilled to join Michael to further build and lead the European region for an organisation as influential as MediaLink – and there’s never been a more important time to be doing so,” said Saxton. “Clients around the world are looking for a more dynamic strategic advisory to move them through the challenges we all face right now. They’re seeking guidance not just to survive, but to thrive. Michael is an impressive founder who has built a team of practical visionaries who truly transform their clients’ business, relationships and talent roster. I’m ready to bring together the privilege of my varied experiences, working with boards from across the industry, to help clients and agencies illuminate the new potential and transform their futures. The challenge is immense, and we have a duty of care to the wider industry, especially now, to ensure we all grow together.”

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