Omnicom Announces G23 to help businesses tap into the power of the global female economy.

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) announced the formation today of G23, a high level strategic solution for clients seeking to make relevant and sustaining connections with women whether as consumers, customers, employees or other stakeholders.

G23, a strategic consultancy comprised of senior female communications leaders across a broad range of Omnicom companies representing every marketing discipline, is led by Janet Riccio, Executive Vice President of Omnicom Group Inc.

"The goal of G23 is simple: to transform our clients' businesses by amplifying and activating female power. Engagement with G23 is a unique experience for our clients because of the unprecedented access to a diverse group of female executives in our organization whose potentially game-changing views are shaped by our proprietary and groundbreaking research," Riccio said. "We seek to help our clients understand newly emerging fundamental truths about the women who are economically vital to their businesses before even approaching ideas about 'marketing to women.'"

Riccio noted that G23 members engage independently of their operating companies on behalf of all clients, so that this is an additive and complementary approach to the holding company's various marketing and communications disciplines. Client engagements are bespoke and consultative in nature.

Using the notion of women's tribes as a way of thinking about women whose behaviors, beliefs, and global/local contexts are similar, the group has funded and fielded a study of women's economic lives in 16 countries around the world through leading global research company Pacific Ethnography and Harris Interactive. The study, titled "The 8 Female Tribes that Power the Global Economy," examines women's economic power including what and how much they buy as well as their influence over purchasing.

"We look at women as a cultural group across borders and what they share in a global economy whether it is shared patterns of economic life or shared vision for the future," Riccio said. "This is a very different way of examining women from the traditional women versus men orientation."

Omnicom President and CEO John Wren said, "Omnicom has a history of developing multiple, innovative services and solutions for our clients. The unique perspective that G23 offers is only possible because of our commitment to a highly collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where our people are sharply focused on the pulse of the global marketplace."

In addition to Riccio, G23 members include: Emma Gilding, one of Time magazine's "Top 100 Business innovators" and President of in:site, a cultural anthropology think-tank; Tracy Lovatt, EVP, Behavioral Planning Director at BBDO; Sharon Love, CEO of consumer marketing and communications firm TPN; Marian Salzman, Chief Marketing Officer at the public relations firm Porter Novelli; Kate Stephenson, President of Global Account management, OMD; Andrea Sullivan, Executive Director of Client Services for leading brand consultancy Interbrand; Dianne Wilkins, a former golf pro and CEO of leading Interactive agency Critical Mass; Julie Winskie, President and Chief Client Officer of Porter Novelli; Jan Thompson, Executive VP, DAS, BBDO Detroit; Helen Hibbott, Managing Director, US -- Rapp Collins, New York; Julie Bauer, President, The Bauerworks; and Shelly Paxton, Global Group Director of Strategy, OMD.

Currently in discussions with Omnicom clients, the group will be joined by an advisory board whose charter members are Susan Smith-Ellis, CEO of RED, Oxford University Professor of Marketing Linda Scott who is the author of "Fresh Lipstick: Redressing Fashion and Feminism," and editor of Advertising & Society Review and Fara Warner, writer and author of "The Power of the Purse."

About G23

G23 is a senior strategic consultancy working with clients who seek more relevant and sustaining connections with women. Multidisciplinary in its communications, G23 is comprised of preeminent communications leaders, all women, who understand the importance of quickly delivering viable business changing ideas to clients.