25 Years at Publicis: A Conversation with Liz Ryan

Liz Ryan, SVP, Client Lead joined Publicis Groupe as an Associate Media Planner 25 years ago. Since that time, Liz has gone on to many different roles across several clients, honing her skills as a media expert. Nine years ago, Liz landed at PHM and has been redefining the way her team approaches connecting with health audiences ever since.

We chatted with Liz to commemorate her outstanding accomplishment, learn more on what keeps her interested in the media landscape and reflect on the last two and a half decades.

25 years is an amazing accomplishment! What has kept you at Publicis for this long?

Thank you! A few things have kept me here. Firstly, the people. It’s been said many times before, but Publicis folks are genuinely kind, caring, smart, collaborative, hardworking, curious and fun to work with. I’ve also appreciated our client partners who manage incredible brands and the learning and development opportunities available within the Groupe.

At PHM, we often ask people why they chose health – how would you answer that question today? What made you choose health when you joined PHM?

I joined PHM nine years ago as part of mobility within the Groupe. There are a lot of categories and brands that we can work with, but health and wellness is incredibly important and impacts everyone. I like the idea of partnering with brands to improve people’s lives. 

What’s changed in the world of advertising in the past 25 years?

The biggest thing that’s changed is the media landscape’s non-stop evolution, with new media channels, new technology, new targeting and planning capabilities popping up every day. When I started in media, it would still be another five years before Facebook launched! Consumers have more demands of their time but also the luxury of having everything when they desire— whether it be entertainment, social connection or information—which has re-framed everything for media.

When you reflect on your 25 years at Publicis, what are you most proud of?

Many things! I’m proud of the partnerships I’ve established with client teams to build brands and educate consumers. I also cherish the many relationships born during my time here. I’m still close with people with whom I started the entry-level assistant planner program and keep in touch with colleagues, clients and mentors from across my 25 years! I’m also proud of my continued learning and development, as well as my agility, knowing that the only constant in life is change.

Any fun or notable memories from the past 25 years you’d like to share?

A lot of work has been done in the past 25 years, but so has a lot of fun! I’ve always loved our agency community days like the Philly office’s annual Community Service Day. One year, our efforts at a high school to beautify its walls with murals made the local news.

I’ve been fortunate to travel to many amazing places for work, with my favorites including London, Hawaii, New Orleans, Miami, Austin, Colorado Springs and Nashville.

I’ve also enjoyed some lighthearted office pranks! One of my favorites was hiding a smoked salmon package from a gift basket for a colleague, back in the days of individual cubes and offices. When someone found it, they hid it for another colleague, and this went on for YEARS! Once, I even returned from a work trip to find my office covered in celebrity pictures, given my love for celebs, with some in plain sight and some hidden in files and drawers that were found weeks later.

There have also been a fair amount of celebrity sightings. When I worked on the Wendy’s account, I met the real Wendy (and she’s lovely!) I once did a quick “meet and greet” with Britney Spears and clients before her concert, and when I was pregnant with my son and a few weeks away from giving birth, I spotted John Travolta at a network upfront presentation. He asked me what I planned to name the baby.  With a straight face, I told him “Danny Zuko”. He smiled politely, and to this day, I don’t know if he realized I was kidding.

What are you most looking forward to in the next 5 years?

Work-wise, I’m looking forward to seeing what’s still to be invented and how our industry will continue to evolve at a rapid pace.  Life-wise, I can’t wait to watch our sweet kiddos (now nine and six years old) continue to grow, learn and experience life as kind, compassionate humans and spend time creating happy memories with family and friends.

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