By: Jennifer Saba Scott Harding, chairman and CEO of the Newspaper Services of America, in Downer's Grove, Ill., is leaving the company. On Monday, Harding accepted the position of CEO of Advo, a direct-mail company based in Windsor, Conn., effective October 15.
In 1991, Harding co-founded the NSA, one of the largest print buying and planning agencies in the country, eventually selling the company to Interpublic in 1995. He remained chairman and CEO until this week. NSA President Bob Shamberg has been appointed to fill Harding's position.
"My going is really because of the opportunity I see at Advo," Harding told E&P, explaining his decision to leave NSA. "It's not in any way tied with anything going on with the newspaper industry or anything of that nature."
Harding also has resigned from the Audit Bureau of Circulations board. (Advo is not a member of ABC). He's been a board member since the late 1980s.
Prior to starting NSA, Harding worked at Sears, where he headed their advertising. "It's been a lifelong dream to work on all three sides of the desk," Harding said.
The move might raise eyebrows, as Advo is considered a rival of the newspaper industry. However, the company does have partnerships with some newspaper in markets like Denver and Detroit and areas like Southern and Northern California. Harding's appointment could spawn even more partnerships with newspapers, something that he has not ruled out.
For now, Harding has been charged with growing the $1.2 billion company and filling key positions.
"We are really excited we can leverage Scott?s experience and background," said Mary Lou Dlugolenski, director of communications at Advo. "We're really excited to have him on board."
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