Nina DiSesa

Nina DiSesa

Chairman, McCann Erickson New York

Nina DiSesa has worked in the quintessential boys clubs of advertising for almost thirty years. In 1994, she became the first woman EVP, Executive Creative Director for McCann Erickson New York, the flagship office of the largest advertising agency in the world. Under her creative leadership, the New York office enjoyed an unprecedented 5-year growth period adding almost $2.5 billion in billings. In 1998, she was made Chairman as well as Chief Creative Officer of McCann New York. She was the first woman and first creative director to be named chairman in the McCann global network.

In 1999, Nina was chosen by Fortune magazine as one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in American Business.” In 2005, she received the Matrix Award, given each year to a select group of women in communication. In 2007, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame for CEBA (Creative Excellence in Business Advertising).

5mins
Nina DiSesa, the Chairman of McCann Erickson New York talks about the art of effective advertising, reaching an audience, and the case study of Mastercard.
1mins
DiSesa hopes that she is remembered for fighting for women in the workplace.
2mins
Clients spent lots of money to make sure that ads are effective.
2mins
You can’t sell somebody something they don’t want, DiSesa says.
1mins
Effective advertising, DiSesa says, changes behavior.
2mins
What does it mean to think like a man?
2mins
Its not about sex, DiSesa says. Its about having people respect rather than dismiss you.
1mins
Not all creative people are creative “direct material.” In order to be a creative leader, says Nina DiSesa, you have to keep your brain neatly divided in half.
1mins
The creative mind is the most illusive thing.