RJ Hilgers Named Next CEO of POP

Hilgers succeeds Founder Bill Predmore, who served more than 20 years as CEO of POP; Predmore will join POP’s Board of Directors as Chairman


SEATTLE, Nov. 06, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- POP today announced RJ Hilgers as the new CEO of the agency, effective January 1, 2018. A nearly 20-year agency veteran, Hilgers joined POP at the beginning of 2016 and served as its chief marketing officer, leading client services, business development and marketing. He succeeds POP Founder Bill Predmore, who started the company in 1996 and has served as CEO since the agency’s inception. Predmore will join POP’s Board of Directors as Chairman, devoting his time to supporting Hilgers and POP’s executive team to drive the agency towards ever greater success.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/89fae0dd-cdb3-4fbe-acdc-ea3a36661ba5

“For 22 years, we’ve built POP into a platform upon which an ever-evolving collection of extraordinary individuals can create and craft with shared purpose to help our clients succeed,” said Predmore. “POP is poised for a strong third decade and I am honored to join the Board to continue my work helping the agency realize its full potential.”

Hilgers joined POP from SapientNitro, where he held roles as the head of business development for North America, managing director, and head of the global client services discipline. Previously, Hilgers held positions at Marchex and Microsoft, and began his career at the digital agency division of aQuantive (serving in senior roles at Avenue A | Razorfish, now SapientRazorfish) until it was acquired by Microsoft for more than $6 billion in 2009. During his career, Hilgers has provided senior-level client counsel to an array of Fortune 500 companies, including Apple, Intel, MGM Resorts, Microsoft and Walmart.

“Bill has not only led POP for more than 20 years but under his leadership established the agency as a digital marketing pioneer,” said Hilgers, CMO and incoming CEO of POP. “I am humbled, honored and thrilled to lead POP moving forward and build on Bill’s legacy. POP’s future is bright. We have phenomenal clients, are focused on the opportunities that lay ahead of us and are winning in the marketplace. We also have exceptional people and I’m excited to work more closely with everyone to maximize the talent and commitment of the entire POP team.”

“POP’s success for more than two decades is undeniable and every member of the agency thanks Bill for his leadership and commitment to building an enduring business,” said Michael A. Newhouse, POP board member and director | senior executive officer in Advance, a privately-owned group that operates Condé Nast (Advance acquired POP in 2013). “RJ has demonstrated the leadership to drive POP to future success through a relentless focus on the integration of all the components of client services and agency growth. As POP drives toward its next milestone – 30 years of making things happen – I’m excited to assist RJ and the leadership team in leading, inspiring and shaping POP’s clients and POP’s people.”

About POP

POP combines expertise found across the spectrum of marketing and technology consultancies to make a lasting impact on our clients’ business. We handpick multi-disciplinary teams of thinkers, storytellers, innovators and makers, with an obsession for quality and craft, aesthetics and engineering. With a consultative and collaborative approach, we deliver unexpected solutions and undeniable results. Headquartered in Seattle, with an office in San José, Costa Rica, POP’s clients include Microsoft, Target, F5 Networks and Adobe. For more information, visit: www.wearepop.com.


Contact:
Steve Stratz
Relevanz Public Relations for POP
206.300.9134
steve@relevanzpr.com

RJ Hilgers