Renetta McCann

{{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Renetta Earldeane McCann | honorific_suffix = | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name = Renetta Earldeane Walker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|12|8}} | birth_place = Chicago, Illinois | death_date =  | death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | nationality = | other_names = | citizenship = | alma_mater = | education = Northwestern University (BS, MS) | occupation = Advertising executive, CEO | organisation = | years_active = | employer = | agent = | known_for = | notable_works = | style = | title = | party = | movement = | boards = | spouse = | partner = | children = | parents = | relatives = | awards = American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame | website = | signature = | signature_size = | signature_alt = | footnotes = }}

'''Renetta McCann''' (born December 8, 1956) is an American advertising and public relations executive who previously served as chief executive officer of Starcom Mediavest Group in North America.

== Early life and education ==

McCann was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 8, 1956, and was raised by her mother, a school teacher, and her grandmother.<ref name="Crowe2005">{{Cite web |title=Renetta Earldeane McCann |url=https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/renetta-earldeane-mccann-40 |last=Crowe |first=Larry |website=The History Makers |date=June 1, 2005 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> She graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science in communications in 1978.<ref name="Jet1999">{{Cite magazine |title=Leo Burnett Board Elects Starcom's Renetta McCann an Executive Vice President |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A8MDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Renetta+McCann%22&pg=PA20 |magazine=Jet |page=20 |date=October 18, 1999 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Originally interested in political science and a legal career, McCann was inspired by professors such as David Zarefsky to pursue public relations.<ref name="Smith2024">{{Cite web |title=Alumni Who Lead |url=https://magazine.northwestern.edu/features/alumni-medalists-will-evans-renetta-mccann-bill-osborn/ |last=Smith |first=Daniel P. |website=Northwestern University |date=August 16, 2024 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2009, McCann returned to Northwestern and earned her master's degree in learning and organizational change.<ref name="Smith2024" />

== Career ==

McCann joined Leo Burnett Worldwide, a Chicago-based advertising agency, after graduating from college in 1978. Within a year of starting, McCann became the first African-American media supervisor at the agency.<ref name="Crowe2005" /> In 1988, she was named vice president, and became a media director in 1989.<ref name="Ebony2004">{{Cite magazine |title=Renetta McCann: CEO, Starcom North America |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XNYDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Renetta+McCann%22&pg=PA45 |magazine=Ebony |page=45 |date=March 2004 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In 1998, McCann became managing director of Starcom Mediavest Group in North America; after a merger between Leo Burnett and D'Arcy, McCann became CEO in 2000.<ref name="Crowe2005" /><ref name="Palmer2007">{{Cite news |title=Media industry swirl fueled executive's rise |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/232516875/?match=1&terms=%22renetta%20mccann%22 |last=Palmer |first=Ann Therese |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |page=5-3 |date=February 18, 2007 |access-date=October 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

During her tenure as CEO, Starcom's client billings exceeded $26 billion and the company grew to over 6,000 employees.<ref name="Chicago2020">{{Cite web |title=Renetta McCann to receive CAF's Silver Medal Award |url=https://reelchicago.com/article/renetta-mccann-to-receive-chicago-ad-fed-silver-medal-award/ |website=ReelChicago.com |date=January 10, 2020 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> McCann was responsible for strategic planning and financial management as well as overseeing clients in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.<ref name="Davis2016">{{Cite book |title=Pioneering African-American Women in the Advertising Business |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ljolDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22renetta+mccann%22&pg=PA225 |last=Davis |first=Judy Foster |publisher=Taylor & Francis |page=225 |isbn=9781317421672 |date=December 8, 2016 |access-date=October 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> McCann stepped down as CEO in 2008.<ref name="Kirk2008">{{Cite web |title=Renetta McCann stepping down as Starcom MediaVest CEO |url=http://www.targetmarketnews.com/storyid06100801.htm |last=Kirk |first=Jim |website=TargetMarketNews.com |date=June 10, 2008 |access-date=October 7, 2024 |language=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907190733/http://www.targetmarketnews.com/storyid06100801.htm |archive-date=September 7, 2008}}</ref>

In 2012, McCann returned to Leo Burnett in the role of chief talent officer.<ref name="Davis2016" /> She also serves as a member of Northwestern Alumni Association's Board of Directors as well as an adjunct lecturer.<ref name="Smith2024" />

== Awards and honors ==

*In 2001, named a "Media Maven" by Advertising Age<ref name="Ebony2004" /> *In 2002, named "Corporate Executive of the Year" by Black Enterprise<ref name="Loyola">{{Cite web |title=Renetta McCann: Chief Inclusion Experience Officer, Publicis Groupe |url=https://www.luc.edu/baumhartcenter/bios/renettamccann/ |website=Loyola University Chicago |access-date=October 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> *In 2003, named as one of the "50 Women Who Are Changing The World" by Essence<ref name="Chicago2020" /> *In 2006, received a Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications<ref name="Loyola" /> *In 2007, appeared on Forbes list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women<ref name="Forbes2007">{{Cite magazine |title=In Pictures: The 100 Most Powerful Women |url=https://www.forbes.com/2007/08/28/biz-07women_all_slide.html |magazine=Forbes |date=August 31, 2007 |access-date=October 7, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> *In 2019, received a Silver Medal Award, an award from Chicago Advertising Federation for outstanding career accomplishments<ref name="Newswire2020">{{Cite web |title=Chicago Advertising Federation Honors Renetta McCann with Silver Medal Award |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chicago-advertising-federation-honors-renetta-mccann-with-silver-medal-award-300984523.html |website=PR Newswire |date=January 9, 2020 |access-date=October 7, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> *In 2023, inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame<ref name="Missouri2024">{{Cite web |title=Missouri School of Journalism announces three winners of 2024 Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service |url=https://journalism.missouri.edu/2024/07/missouri-school-of-journalism-announces-three-winners-of-2024-missouri-honor-medal-for-distinguished-service/ |website=Missouri School of Journalism |date=July 11, 2024 |access-date=October 7, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> *In 2024, received the Northwestern Alumni Medal for exceptional achievement in her career and service to Northwestern University<ref name="Smith2024" /> *In 2024, received the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism<ref name="Missouri2024" />

== References ==

{{DEFAULTSORT:McCann, Renetta}} Category:Living people Category:1956 births Category:African-American business executives Category:African-American businesswomen Category:American advertising executives Category:American chief executives in the mass media industry Category:American women chief executives Category:Businesspeople from Chicago Category:Mass media people from Chicago Category:Northwestern University School of Communication alumni Category:Women in advertising