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Jack Morton Worldwide

2011 SAWIB WinnerCompany: Jack Morton Worldwide, Boston, MA, USA
Company Description: Jack Morton Worldwide is a global brand experience agency. We create experiences that strengthen relationships between brands and the people who matter most to them—thereby helping our clients become talked-about experience brands.
Nomination Category: Individual Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Executive – Service Businesses – up to 2,500 Employees

Nomination Title: Tara Back, President

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated executive during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):

Tara Back is President, New York for Jack Morton Worldwide. Tara led Jack Morton’s New York office to new highs in 2011. Under her leadership, the office has experienced 26.5% staff growth and 9.7% revenue growth in the past year alone (this is on top of big growth since her inception of leading the New York office in December of 2008). She is responsible for a culture change within the agency, which when asked, is her most prized achievement. The New York office is now a vibrant work environment, and is leading the agency in a transition from a tactical company to one that is led by creative ideas. This change is producing results: in 2011 the New York office reduced its turnover rate by nearly 50%.

This evolution is paying off. In 2011 the New York office was recognized with two of the five total Corporate Event Awards for their work with Samsung 3D LED TV (Stevie winner for Best Product Introduction 2010) and Volkswagen Jetta. No other agency received multiple awards. The office also recorded the agency’s best showing at the Effie Awards in company history, winning Silver for IBM’s SmarterCities, Bronze for the US Census campaign and was named a finalist for Samsung’s 3D LED campaign. (Please see links section for more information on these awards.) Under Tara’s leadership The New York office has won 15 of the agency’s 39 awards won YTD.

In addition to awards, under Tara’s leadership the agency has secured high-profile wins in 2011, including the annual Walmart shareholders meeting and International meeting; work with Microsoft XBox; broadcast design work with China Central Television; responsibility for a host of IBM events to celebrate the company’s Centennial; and complete design of NBC News’ Education Nation.

“Leaders like Tara are few and far between. We recognize the skills and talents Tara brings to the company and regard her as a major asset,” said Josh McCall, Chairman and CEO of Jack Morton Worldwide. “In addition to Tara’s focus on growing the business, she’s brought an energetic culture change about in New York, which translates to engaged employees that deliver great work for our clients.”

According to Matt Jones, a member of Tara’s staff: “Tara Back embodies Jack Morton. Her background was in event production, and there's no one better at it. And yet now she is also Jack's leading advocate for idea leadership and for the power of a creatively-driven culture. She tackles new problems with ambition, and no fear. She empowers the people around her. She hires talent and seeks to learn from it herself. Tara's way is the way of the future, not just for Jack Morton, but for our industry.”

Many executives in advertising and marketing agencies talk openly about the “lack of women at the top” of the industry. Jack Morton is pleased to have a female leader that drives results and moves the agency forward. Tara is a special leader and we appreciate your consideration of her nomination for the 2011 Stevies Women in Business Award.

List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your entry. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:

Tara Back Named one of BizBash’s Most Innovative People
http://www.bizbash.com/newyork/gallery-images/tara-back/?id=20626&ord=12

Tara Back Named President of Jack Morton Worldwide
http://www.jackmorton.com/#/news/press/?pressID=470

Samsung Stevie Winner 2010, project led by Tara from New York office
/iba/samsung-electronics-0

Corporate Event Award Winner: Samsung, Jack Morton New York office
http://www.exhibitoronline.com/exhibitormagazine/aug11/samsung-stakes-its-claim.asp

Corporate Event Award Winner: Volkswagen, Jack Morton New York office
http://www.exhibitoronline.com/exhibitormagazine/aug11/east-meets-west-volkswagen.asp

Effie Silver: IBM SmarterCities, Jack Morton New York office
http://www.jackmorton.com/#/news/press/?pressID=488

Effie Bronze: US Census, Jack Morton New York office
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/2010_census/cb11-cn153.html

Agency Brand Book, describes culture led by Jack Morton New York office
http://www.jackmorton.com/takeaway/downloads/files/Brand_Book.pdf

Lobby Installations and photos from New York office and other Jack offices
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackmorton/sets/72157620494082108/


Provide a brief biography of the nominated executive (up to 100 words):

A native of Australia, Tara began her career as a Production Assistant. Almost immediately recognized for her leadership skills, she was promoted through the ranks, landing in 2008 as Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the New York Office. In 2011, Tara was named President also overseeing Jack’s operations in Chicago and Los Angeles.

She built award-winning creative-led teams in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and New York as well as a new business effort that resulted in blue-chip client partnerships including Microsoft, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sony, Ford, British American Tobacco and Casella Wines.

With more than a decade’s experience at Jack Morton in management positions on two continents, Tara is a key catalyst in the agency’s ongoing success.