John Mercurio Email and Phone Number

Responsible for the day-to-day management of the financial, treasury, operational and administrative functions. A true partner to the CEO. The agency is comprised of 40 employees located in NYC. Implemented an integrated financial reporting, bill/pay, trafficking and timesheet system. Strong cash-flow procedures in place. Implement processes to improve staff billables/utilization. Upgraded the network and communications hardware and software, especially in the production/studio. Negotiate all client contract and fees proposals which requires creative thinking. Revised the agency policy and procedures manual. Reformulate the structure and direction of the company with the CEO.

For a $62MM global healthcare public relations company reporting to the CFO with responsibilities for revenue and payroll reporting and forecasting, review and negotiations of client contracts, review profit & loss results with divisional management and working with the talent department and agency management to ensure maximum utilization for 170 billable employees.

Responsible for managing the day-to-day financial and operational activities (IT, HR and Facilities Management) for the agency. A business partner to the CEO and CCO. The agency is comprised of 45 employees with offices in NY and LA.Clients spending range between 150MM - 175MM. Relocated the agency to new 16,000 sq ft space in July 2009. Improved cash flow by 3.0MM from 7/08 by implementing both electronic billing system with our clients and a match pay system with our vendors. These processes improved the net DBO/DPO by 15 days and 65% on the net working capital ratio. Improved the profit margin by 1.5 - 2.5 points through a series of eliminating unnecessary expenditures, re-evaluating leases, and all vendor contracts. Lowered payroll by 5% by gaining efficiencies in finance and the administrative departments.

EVP/CFO & COO - Lowe NY & Alchemy 2006 - 2008 Formulated and directed strategic plans to drive business and profit growth for 2 multinational advertising agencies with $65MM in combined revenues. Oversaw all financial and operational activities. Compiled, presented, and reviewed monthly performance results, collaborating with agency leaders and worldwide management. Created, monitored, and evaluated accuracy of annual and quarterly forecasts. Prepared and negotiated client contracts and compensation agreements with IPG corporate, and client financial and legal groups. Approved compensation packages. Managed $32MM agency payroll budget and department staff of 40. Major Contributions:Led transition into shared service for Lowe Worldwide test site.Negotiated and procured 31,000 square feet of new space with $5MM capital budget.Decreased payroll by $2.5MM, restructuring finance group.Saved $2MM, outsourcing studio operations. Highlights:Implemented new budgeting system and conversion to SAP.Maximized staff's time management and efficiency.Accelerated and improved workflow by establishing project management group.EVP/CFO &COO - Alchemy 2002 - 2007 Spearheaded all aspects of daily financial and operational activities for $25MM consumer healthcare advertising agency. Developed, implemented, and presented strategic forecasts and plans to management committee. Negotiated all client and vendor contracts. Prepared and evaluated annual budget and quarterly and yearly forecasts.Major Contributions;Cultivated and established agency as completely self-sufficient entity in 1st year.Added $2MM to revenues, pioneering separate studio.Led all facets of real estate lease of 23,000 square feet with $2.5MM capital budget.Obtained full SOX compliance.Negotiated and closed $25MM J&J contract.Highlights:Kept compensation costs 5 to 7 points below IPG corporate guidelines.Lowered travel costs by $0.5M, launching teleconferencing capabilities.

Manage the financial operations for the company. Implemented a new financial reporting and budgeting system in '06/07. Open up 3 offices throughout the US between '95 and '99. Merged 4 entities into Lowe NY from '95 through '98 from general agencies to specialty companies(DM and promotional). Negotiated global and local client contracts. Managed real estate and capex transactions from $5M up to $25M totalling over 195,000 sq ft. Approve all transactions. Managed $50 payroll budget. Supervised staff of 60 in Finance, IT, HR and Facilities. Successfully negotiated $30M and $15M in new contractual revenue.

Selected to merge and manage all worldwide CRM operations. Established financial targets, enabling attainment of global financial objectives. Administered individual agency income statements and client profitability, working closely with local CEOs and CFOs. Negotiated global client contracts.Major Contributions and Highlights:Globalized individual CRM operations, creating 1 cohesive $50MM group.Streamlined worldwide financial reporting and budgeting for CRM group.Negotiated and obtained major global contract with Unilever; increased profitability by 4 margin points and eliminated $3MM or 20%, of their centralized overhead costs. Championed numerous efficiency improvements and cost saving initiatives across network, optimizing resource utilization.

Led strategic plans to expand business and increase profits, managing daily financial and operational activities of 2 multinational agencies with combined revenues totaling $94MM. Analyzed and presented monthly performance results with agencies and worldwide management. Created and administered quarterly and annual forecasts, Collaborated with IPG corporate, and client financial and legal groups, preparing and negotiating client contracts and compensation agreements. Authorized all transactions. Mapped and allocated resources. Managed $50M payroll budget. Approved all compensation packages. Negotiated and signed off on all vendor agreements and leasing transactions. Supervised 60 staff in Finance, HR, IT, and Facilities support groups. Major Contributions and Highlights:Instrumental in adding ~$47MM in combined new revenues streams, merging 4 companies into Lowe NY: Scali McCabe Sloves, Goldsmith Jeffrey, Diamond Promotions, and Fox Pavlika.Built high performance operating divisions in San Francisco and Los Angeles producing $20MM and $5MM in new revenues.Captured $30MM and $15MM in new revenue, successfully negotiating new client contracts with Mercedes-Benz and Sun Microsystems.Expanded real estate holdings, building out $25MM; 165,000 square foot property in New York and $3MM; 20,000 square foot property in San Francisco.Eliminated $1MM in compensation costs, reorganizing finance group from 50 to 35 staff.

Headed all aspects of daily financial and operational activities for $6MM direct marketing agency. Designed and implemented comprehensive strategic plans. Created and reviewed annual budget and quarterly forecast with local and regional management. Instituted policies and procedures. Major Contributions and Highlights:Centralized operating and financial management, founding separate division in 1st year.Upgraded general ledger and billing system.Recovered 90 past due receivables worth $1.5MM. Cleaned up 20% or $1MM of past due day inventory by driving timely client billing. Improved working capital by 25%, $2MM. Reduced operating expenditures by 10% or $0.5M by establishing cost control measures.

Manage the financial and operational functions for the agency. Separated financial statements, reporting and budgeting from its parent company. Help setup the LA office as a full service entity. Installed a network system for the agency in 1990.Established and Implemented policies and procedures.

Manage internal financial presentations to the BOD and Executive committee. Consolidated and analyzed the worldwide budget for JWT for review by management. Monitor executive compensation for the top 100 executives in the agency. Supervised a department of 35.