Debra’s ability to balance her role as trusted client advisor and staunch agency advocate comes naturally. With 20+ years in Account and Agency management, a tour of duty on the client side at skin care giant Dermalogica, 5 years as a successful agency search consultant and founder of her own product company, to say that Debra has a unique perspective on marketing and advertising would be an understatement. And it is that perspective that makes her sought after by both sides of the agency review equation.
On the agency side, Debra counts JWT, DDB, Grey and Campbell-Ewald as alma maters, having worked on such a wide variety of categories that her sons often asked her “what are you an expert in this week?” From QSR, telcos and health clubs, to theme parks, hotels and HBC products, Debra relished the opportunity to “see behind the curtain” of so many fascinating businesses.
Today, specializing in agency search and selection, Debra has been able to duplicate that opportunity. Having worked on agency reviews for The Home Depot, Radio Shack, Aflac, Vanguard, Sargento, United Healthcare, the California Lottery and AMC Theatres, to name just a few, she uses her skills as a fast study to help clients find the right marketing communications partner to suit their specific needs – and to help agencies with their new business challenges.
Debra lives with her husband in Santa Monica, where they thoroughly enjoy their status as empty nesters at the beach. She is an avid cook and bicyclist and has tackled bike trips in New Zealand, Czech Republic and throughout Canada. She also enjoys traveling with her photographer husband to “end of the road” places like Iceland and The Falkland Islands, happily playing the role of muse and photo assistant. Debra has served on the board of what was known as the WSAAA (Western States Association of Advertising Agencies) and the executive board of Junior Achievement of Southern California. She received her BA in Political Science from UCLA.
