Cynthia Augustine Named Global Chief Talent Officer For McCann Worldgroup
Cynthia ("Cindy") Augustine
  • NEW YORK
  • --

Cynthia (“Cindy”) Augustine has been named global chief talent officer for McCann Worldgroup. Augustine steps into the role currently held by Marjan Panah, who is shifting into another opportunity.

Augustine joins McCann Worldgroup from IPG sister agency network FCB, where she served as global chief talent officer the last 10 years. Augustine brings world-class skills to her role after serving HR and talent leadership roles for global companies that include Scholastic, Time Warner and The New York Times.

Bill Kolb, chairman and CEO, McCann Worldgroup, said, “Cindy is a star at attracting and retaining A+ talent to a global communications network and both building, and supporting, a diverse array of skilled and successful teams on a global scale. She is a passionate advocate for organizational change, diversity, equity and inclusion, and strategic problem-solving, that creates a more rewarding environment for current and potential employees.”

Kolb has made diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) one of his top five priorities for advancing the goals of the McCann Worldgroup network, as seen in the promotion of Singleton Beato to Global DEI Officer earlier this year. This alignment of global talent leadership and the further development of the talent practice is another significant step toward delivering on this goal.

In addition, the recruitment, advancement and retention of talent is part of McCann Worldgroup’s overall “Yes&” marketing strategy. That strategy--a critical approach to how McCann Worldgroup attacks business solutions, growth and integration--pushes the network to have the best marketing agencies and talent in each individual sector and provide best integrated global solution for the network’s clients.

Augustine said, “I love the work that all of the agencies within the Worldgroup network create and I am so impressed by the recognition that the company has received in the last few years. I know the incredible commitment to talent that the leadership of McCann Worldgroup has made, and I am thrilled to join the industry’s most effective global marketing solutions company.” 

Augustine earned a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and a J.D. from Rutgers University Law School. She began her career as a lawyer specializing in employment law, labor relations and employee benefits, first at The New York Times Company and then at Sabin, Bermant and Gould LLP, a law firm based in NYC.

Augustine returned to The New York Times in 1998 to serve as SVP, human resources. In 2000, she added the role of president of The New York Times Company Broadcast Group. In 2004, she joined Time Warner as SVP of talent management, overseeing executive and staff development, global recruitment and executive search, and diversity programs.

Augustine spent four years at the global publishing company Scholastic Inc., where she served as SVP of human resources and employee services. She joined FCB in 2011 as EVP, global chief talent officer, responsible for leading all aspects of human resources, including recruiting, talent development, benefits and compensation, as well as diversity & inclusion programs for the agency’s global network.

Augustine was named one of Savoy Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential Black Leaders In Corporate America from 2010-2014; one of the 25 Most Influential Black Women Business Leaders by The Network Journal (2004); and one of Crain Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Minority Business Leaders In New York (2004). A dedicated mentor, she has also served on Save The Children’s board of directors.

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