Retirement Industry People Moves

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Cohen & Steers Hires Global Marketing Head

Paul Zettl has joined Cohen & Steers as senior vice president, head of Global Marketing and chief marketing officer. Zettl will lead strategic marketing initiatives for all client channels and platforms worldwide.

“Paul’s experience in building global investment brands will be crucial in extending the firm’s position as a leading manager of listed real assets and alternative income,” says Todd Glickson, executive vice president, head of Marketing, Product and Corporate Strategy. “In recent years, we have broadened our global footprint through the relaunch of our offshore fund lineup, entered the U.S. retirement fund market, and grown into the endowment, foundation and family office segments. This demands a more expansive marketing strategy, and we are delighted Paul is joining us to carry out that vision.”

Robert Steers, chief executive officer, adds, “This newly created role reflects our commitment to broadening our outreach to institutions and wealth channels worldwide.” 

Zettl comes to Cohen & Steers from T. Rowe Price, where he most recently served as group vice president, head of Product Marketing and Offer Management. In this role, he oversaw product marketing and offer management for the U.S. intermediary business. He was also responsible for the firm’s portfolio construction practice and developed and managed value-added programs for wealth and retirement advisers and intermediaries. During his time at T. Rowe Price, he launched a global enterprise brand campaign that included cross company integrated advertising, digital experiences and associate rollout. He also led multiple diversity and inclusion initiatives within the firm and raised awareness and visibility around issues of diversity in the broader investment advisory community.  

Insight Investment Hires Leader of Marketing in North America

Jennifer Babsin has joined Insight Investment as head of Marketing, North America.  In this newly-created role, Babsin will lead all North American marketing programs as Insight continues to leverage its liability driven investment (LDI), fixed income and multi-asset capabilities to help pension plan sponsors, consultants and financial advisers meet evolving challenges.

Jack Boyce, head of Distribution for North America at Insight, says, “Jennifer is a skilled industry veteran with an impressive track record of developing and executing campaigns that help institutional and intermediary clients make well-informed decisions.  We look forward to her contributions to elevating the Insight brand as we continue to build on our advocacy and momentum in the U.S.” 

Babsin most recently held the role of head of U.S. Marketing and Communications and Global Strategic Marketing Director at Man Group, where she guided firm-wide marketing strategy and activity. Prior to joining Man Group, she served as head of Marketing at Pine Grove Asset Management and chief marketing officer at UBP Asset Management.  She will be based in New York and report to David Chellew, head of Marketing.

Transamerica Brings In Directors of Client Engagement and Retirement Strategy

Chris Messina has joined Transamerica as director of Client Engagement, and Wendy Daniels has rejoined the firm as vice president and director of Retirement Strategy.

Messina will report to M. Palmer Whitney, senior director Client Engagement, Workplace Solutions, while Daniels will report to Kent Callahan, senior managing director of Workplace Distribution and head of Client Management. Messina will focus on working with client executives to create best strategies and practices for Transamerica’s plan sponsor clients, and Daniels will focus on executing the company’s strategy to acquire retirement plan business with an emphasis on health care and higher education retirement plans. She will directly lead the company’s efforts in gathering new not-for-profit retirement plans and promoting Transamerica’s growth as a specialized retirement plan provider.

With more than 26 years working in financial services, Messina has extensive experience with mid- and large-market retirement plans, including defined contribution (DC), defined benefit (DB) and non-qualified plans. He earned a master’s degree from Babson College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

Daniels has more than 25 years of experience in retirement plans, dedicating most of her career at Transamerica to the development and marketing of the retirement solutions that Transamerica offers today. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.