Quiñoy new CEO at Dieste.

The search for Dieste, Harmel & Partners’ new CEO spanned several continents and resulted in the selection of London-based MTV Networks’ Melisa Quiñoy, a long time network executive who, as executive VP of brand solutions at MTV parent Viacom, spearheaded efforts in Europe and Latin America.

Quiñoy’s appointment is effective immediately at the agency, which is part of Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a network within Omnicom Group Inc.. She succeeds former CEO Warren Harmel, who retired from the agency late last year.

A veteran of MTV Networks for 9 years, Quiñoy most recently directed MTV and Nickelodeon efforts in Europe where she restructured sales operations and refreshed properties such as the MTV Europe Music Awards. While in Latin America, Quiñoy was responsible for establishing long-term client partnerships for MTV and Nickelodeon and was behind the successful sales launch strategy for VH1 in Brazil and Mexico.

Prior to joining MTV, Quiñoy had an extensive and accomplished career in advertising, working for leading agencies including EURO RSCG, FCB, and Lowe & Partners, where she managed blue chip clients such as Nabisco, Unilever, Pepsi and L’Oreal and held international posts around the world in Buenos Aires, Mexico, Sydney and other cities. She is trilingual in Spanish, English and Portuguese.

“We searched for the perfect brand communications leader to take the helm of the agency and we found the utmost match in Melisa—she’s an innovator, a visionary, and an extremely well-accomplished Latina who represents the epitome of the global consumer experience,” said Carmen Baez, president of DAS Latin America.

“Dieste’s heritage and leadership in the Hispanic market will be further strengthened with the addition of Quiñoy as chief executive officer. Her experience and drive will break new boundaries at the agency,” said Tom Harrison, chairman and chief executive officer for Omnicom’s Diversified Agency Services.

“We are excited to have found a chief executive officer who innately gets who we are and what we are becoming as a brand communications agency. From the first meeting, the chemistry, energy and passion to take us to the next level was palpable and I look forward to working together with her,” said Aldo Quevedo, president of Dieste, which has offices in Dallas, Los Angeles and New York.