Ira Matathia brings to bear his more than 25 years of management experience to his independent marketing consulting and strategy practice.
Ira began his career on the Procter & Gamble business at Grey Advertising and became the youngest Management Supervisor in the agency’s history.
He joined Chiat/Day’s fledgling New York office in 1984. In 1990 he became President of Chiat/Day’s Canadian operation. In three years he more than doubled the billings of the office and saw it named Strategy magazine’s Agency of the Year in 1991 and 92. Ira returned to New York as President of Chiat/Day in 1994. During his tenure, Ira helped realize Jay Chiat's vision of the “virtual office,” transitioning the agency to this revolutionary work style in 1995. He also made his first foray into the Trends space, with the formation of Chiat/Day’s Department of the Future (DOF), partnered with noted trendspotter Marian Salzman.
In 1996 Ira became Chairman of TBWA Italia (merged with Chiat/Day under the Omnicom Group banner). By the end of 1996, he assumed full-time responsibility as CEO of the DOF, splitting his time between the European base and establishing a North American presence. Their book, “Next: Trends for the Near Future”, has been published in 14 different versions and nine languages. It was followed by three additional books, Buzz (2003), The Future of Men (2005) and Next: Now in 2007.
In 2008, he joined the renowned trend spotter Faith Popcorn’s BrainReserve, as Director of Consulting and Strategy.
Ira holds a BA in Communication Theory and Media, and graduate work toward a Master’s Degree from The City University of New York (where he was also a Graduate teaching assistant).
