MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Mediabrands the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) announces the sad loss of Venus Navalta, their President & CEO Mediabrands Philippines, who died after losing her battle with cancer on Saturday 31st July 2021.
As a highly regarded and well-respected media industry leader; prior to joining the Mediabrands network her career had included a further 17 years within Interpublic Group (IPG) as Executive Vice President of McCann Worldgroup Phillippines, in addition to other executive industry roles which included Chairman ZenithOptimedia Philippines.
Venus Navalta founded IPG Mediabrands Philippines in 2015, quickly growing it to its current position as the celebrated and multi-award winning agency network of more than 150 specialists within multiple agency brands including UM, Initiative, Reprise and IPG agency Matterkind, as well as the global hub for Kinesso, the data-driven marketing engine of IPG. Venus has been responsible for a vast catalogue of awards and accolades including international recognition across Cannes, Spikes, and Festival of Media in addition to nine Media Agency of the Year awards.
“Deceivingly soft-spoken, Venus’ leadership, steely resolve and passion for progress helped steer the ad industry to a level of media sophistication that matched global standards,” said August Benitez, ABS-CBN Head of Integrated Sales.
A fierce proponent of her people, their happiness and development, Venus nurtured a unique, diverse, caring and inclusive culture within the Mediabrands Philippines network. Her teams and colleagues affectionately referred to her as ‘Mother Venus.’
Leigh Terry, CEO Mediabrands APAC recalls, “When I first joined Mediabrands and visited Manila, Venus beamed with pride as she welcomed me and told me I’d meet lots of people, but when I left if I remembered only ‘the three Bs’ I’d be ok. Philippines is known for Beauty Pageants, Boxing and Basketball.” Terry continues, “I can’t speak to the basketball, but Venus had one of the most beautiful selfless souls of anyone I’ve had the pleasure to know. She was a fighter, not just in her last battle, but always for what was right. For her team – who she considered her family – and for those who were without, or with voices unheard. Heaven is all the richer for our loss, but her contribution here was immense.”
A mentor, leader, and source of inspiration to all those who knew her, Venus would regularly draw upon her own life experiences and learned personal wisdom to connect and inspire the next generation of talent, such as through this series of personal articles written for OneMega; Starting a Start-Up, Becoming Mother V, and Love, Actually: The Key to a Lasting Marriage.
Venus was born in Baguio Philippines, the middle child among nine siblings. An active advocate of the arts, environment, and rice sufficiency she donated her time, skills, and resources to giving back to her community as a pro bono consultant to the Renucci Rice Partnership, Board Director to the Baguio Arts and Crafts Collective, and the iDance Foundation as well as a regular mentor and speaker for the Ignite Founders.
Angel Guerrero, Founder, President & Editor-in-Chief of Adobo magazine commented, “Venus was an icon, an exemplary leader, a beacon of the media industry, a gracious woman, and more.”
A past President of the 4As, Adboard Director, and Committee Chair in several advertising
congresses, Venus graduated with a degree in Broadcast Communication from the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communications and was honored as one of its most outstanding alumni. This is where Venus met her husband and partner of 40 years, Egay.
“Venus still found the time and the energy to involve herself, tirelessly chairing several industry committees tasked to resolve tough media issues,” said August Benitez, ABS-CBN Head of Integrated Sales, “After a long, illustrious career, Venus retired. Several times, in fact. But every time, the industry, feeling the void she left, always lured her back. She is gone too soon. And the industry she helped shape will certainly miss her.”
Leigh Terry, CEO Mediabrands APAC said, “Whilst we are all saddened beyond words, the depth of talent and community that Venus built within the Mediabrands family is world-class, and she will leave multiple legacies within all of the lives that she touched.”
The Mediabrands Philippines office will be closed on Thursday 5th August in a sign of reverence, respect, and loving memory of the dearly departed Venus Navalta.
