FleishmanHillard announced the hire of Matt Groch as senior vice president and global lead of data analytics and innovation. Reporting to Natasha Kennedy, global managing director, research and analytics, Groch’s hire represents the agency’s commitment to the expansion and growth of its research and analytics practice.
“Matt brings a unique set of skills to our organization that further strengthen and distinguish the expertise of our practice,” Kennedy said. “With a background in software development, mathematics, business and finance, he’ll help us create custom, insights-oriented solutions using computational analytics, big data and predictive analytics.”
This is not the first time Groch and Kennedy have teamed up. In 2005, they pioneered the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in communications to discover topical trends, messaging, influencers and sentiment in online conversations and traditional media.
“Matt and I explored applications of AI and machine learning when print media first began making the transition to online, and blogging had just begun to proliferate as a newly recognized media channel,” Kennedy said. “I’m very excited that he’s joined FleishmanHillard to partner once again in developing new AI-powered solutions for our clients.”
Groch brings experience in the strategic application of research, data and technology across a variety of industries, including nine years with the research and analytics division at Edelman. More recently, he served as chief technology officer for Clayco, a U.S.-based commercial construction company, and was the founding chief technology officer for a Chicago-based healthcare startup, Mondopoint. Before launching Mondopoint, Groch served as head of product innovation for Mission Metrics, the data products subsidiary of Mission Measurement responsible for development of the Impact Genome Project.
Groch’s work has been recognized by various academic and professional organizations. He has been published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, and served as a keynote speaker at the Nonprofit Technology Network’s Leading Change Summit. In addition, he is a recipient of the Chookaszian Prize in Risk Management from Northwestern University.
