Networking.     Mentoring.     Succeeding.
Our Mission: The IPG Women's Leadership Network (WLN) is an empowered IPG-wide organization that promotes the advancement, retention and recruitment of women. The WLN seeks to help position IPG Agencies as employers of choice and as catalysts of change in the communications industry in order to achieve significant business results.
Sheri Baron
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Sheri Baron

President, COO
Gotham Inc.

Sheri Baron has been part of the Interpublic family for nearly 30 years. She is one of the founding partners of Gotham Inc; having started the agency with the Maybelline business in 1994 following a 15-year stint at Lintas Worldwide.

Gotham holds a unique place in the IPG family as an entrepreneurial communications company known for street smarts and straight talk that result in enduring brand platforms. This is perhaps best seen in the work Sheri and her Gotham team have done for the L'Oreal Company on behalf of Maybelline NY - helping transform a sleepy low-end mascara company into a global cosmetic powerhouse now operating aggressively in over 160 countries worldwide. Yellowbook.com, Lindt Chocolate, Bausch & Lomb, Sony Ericsson, Remington and Fresh Direct are just a few additional examples of Gotham's portfolio of successes.

As an executive and a leader, Sheri is recognized as a problem-solver and motivator. She is deeply committed to the career advancement of women in advertising. It is this passion that prompted her to join the initial group of women who formed the IPG Women's Leadership Network (WLN), and continues to be a source of inspiration in her role as Co-Chair of the WLN.

Sheri's personal passions include sports and exercise, but it is her husband, Alan and her son, Max, that are at the top of the list! As someone who has balanced family and career, Sheri is a stellar example for aspiring ad executives!

Ranny Cooper
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Ranny Cooper

President
Weber Shandwick Public Affairs


Ranny Cooper is president of Weber Shandwick's public affairs practice and oversees the firm's research and advocacy advertising divisions.

A nationally known political strategist, Ranny directs sensitive crisis and public policy activities on behalf of the firm's major clients. She also specializes in designing and implementing communications campaigns for clients from both the public and private sectors.

Ranny has advised a diverse number of trade associations, public institutions and corporations including the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the American Council on Education, the Bank of America Foundation, General Electric, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Boston Scientific and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She has also counseled a number of non-profit organizations, including the American Association of Poison Control Centers, The Brady Campaign for the Prevention of Handgun Violence, the Partnership for Healthcare Excellence, the American Library Association and the Pension Rights Center.

Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, Ranny was Chief of Staff to Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), responsible for all of his legislative and political activities. She continues to be a close advisor to the Senator and his senior staff, and serves on the Board of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

A frequent speaker on political issues, Ranny is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Partnership for Women & Families, EMILY's List and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and the board of overseers of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

In 2000, she received the prestigious Women in Communications Matrix Award for exceptional achievement in public relations. She currently serves as co-chair of the Women's Leadership Network at Interpublic Group, an organization focused on advancing the role of women within IPG. Ranny is a graduate of the University of Rochester.

Radical Career Ideas for Radical Times: How to Survive and Thrive in a Down Economy

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Sally Hogshead
Radical Career Ideas for Radical Times: How to Survive and Thrive in a Down Economy

On June 5, 2009, live from New York and webcast in nearly 20 cities across the U.S. and abroad, the WLN hosted its fourth national event. Noted author, speaker and creative director, Sally Hogshead, presented on the topic, Radical Career Ideas for Radical Times. Drawing from research as well as personal experience, Hogshead shared her seven “must have principles,” the rules she’s devised to make oneself indispensible in the workplace. For more information, please see the June 5th National WLN Event .

Interpublic’s Women’s Leadership Network hosted noted Author and Speaker Sally Hogshead.
 
Standing l-r: Melissa Acosta, IPG; Ranny Cooper, Weber Shandwick; Kimberlyn Dennis Smith, McCann; Marcia Wood, IPG; Donna Wiederkehr, Lowe; Sheri Baron, Gotham Inc.; Andrea Giantelli, IPG.
 
Sitting l-r: Eileen Mullarkey, IPG; Sally Hogshead; Jemma Gould, IPG.

 

The Momentum Continues to Build

What began as an idea of a few women just two years ago has grown into a global grassroots network with 11 chapters from Chicago to Shanghai.  These chapters and the national organization have reached thousands of women to date through events networking opportunities, mentoring and advocacy programs.

IPG introduces the Woman's Leadership Network

"Great ideas are transformative. They transform the way we think, live and work. And the truly great ideas have the power to transform the lives of future generations. The IPG WLN will promote the advancement, retention and recruitment of women. It will move to align women's economic power with their presence in the uppermost ranks of business. And it will do so by informing, connecting and nurturing women throughout IPG companies with a mix of inter-agency events, mentoring programs and a dynamic web-based community."

Michael Roth, Chairman, Interpublic
April 26, 2007

 

WLN Leadership Team Expands

Sheri Baron, president & COO of Gotham, Inc., is the new co-chair of the organization. Sheri has been a member of the WLN executive committee, and has served as co-chair of the Communications/Membership Committee. As one of the founding partners of Gotham, her passion and strategic leadership has contributed to turning the company and her clients into powerful success stories.

Ranny Cooper, president of public affairs for Weber Shandwick, remains as the other WLN co-chair.