CEO Puckett Steps Down Following Harte Hanks Review

US-based marketing solutions firm Harte Hanks has announced that President and CEO
Karen Puckett has stepped down, as the firm reviews its Board and governance.

The firm has more than 5,000 employees located in North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, and helps companies analyse and optimize their customer journeys, providing end-to-end marketing services including consulting, analytics, and implementation via digital media, print / direct mail and contact centers. A year ago, it received a non-compliance warning from the NYSE, resulting in its share price dropping below one dollar, after which the company made 'significant changes' to its executive and Board compensation, including a 35% cut in Puckett's base salary.

Puckett (pictured) joined in 2015 replacing former Synovate CEO Robert Philpott,and was previously President - Global Markets at communications services company CenturyLink, where she worked for the prior fifteen years. Earlier she served as COO, overseeing no fewer than fifteen company acquisitions. Before this, she held senior roles at Contel Corporation, GTE Wireless, and BroadStream Communications.

Following Puckett's departure, Harte Hanks has created a temporary 'Office of the CEO', to provide continuity and direction as it conducts a search to identify a replacement who will 'guide the company through the next phase of growth'. This office will be composed of Board members Jack Griffin, a MD of M&A firm Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips; and Martin Reidy, former CEO and President of marketing agency Ansira Partners; along with Harte Hanks execs Jon Biro, CFO and Executive VP; and Andrew Harrison, EVP of Contact Centers & CHRO.

Alfred Tobia, Chairman of the Board, comments: 'We would like to thank Karen for working constructively with the reconstituted Board to act in the best interests of shareholders and customers. We felt this was the right time to take decisive steps to identify the next generation of leadership for our company. In particular, with burgeoning M&A in the marketing services space, we believe there are exciting opportunities to help us accelerate growth while building upon the strengths of our full client offering'.

Web site: www.hartehanks.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.