Brian Monahan departs dentsu for dream job at Albertsons Companies' retail media network spin out

Brian Monahan is leaving dentsu to take the helm at Albertsons Media Collective, the grocery chain’s retail media network.

He replaces former SVP of Retail Media at Albertsons Companies, Kristi Argyilan, and will hold the same title. Argyilan recently left to take on a role as Global Head of Uber Advertising.

In a LinkedIn post, Monahan said: "After seven awesome years, I’ve made the hard decision to leave dentsu. A heartfelt thank you goes to the inspiring leaders for whom I was privileged to work – Nick Brien, Wendy Clark, Jacki Kelley, and Jeff Greenspoon. And sincere best wishes to Hiro Igarahsi-san, Jean Lin, William Swayne and the incredible team of innovators at dentsu who work tirelessly to drive impact for their clients."

He added: “I love the craft of media. It's been my life’s work. And I love retail - the proximity to the customer, the frequency of interactions, the ability to read and react in an instant. It’s a rush. Retail media is the only media transaction where the objective of buyer and seller are aligned. I am so grateful to Susan Morris, Jennifer Saenz, and Omer Gajial for bringing me back to the retail industry and entrusting me to lead the next chapter for the Albertsons Media Collective."

"The Collective's difference is right in our name. We drive growth collectively - for our advertiser clients, our merchant partners, and most importantly our shared customers for life. I raised my children in a Safeway household. Every birthday party, every barbeque, every prescription, every weekly food shop - we went to the same Safeway that has served our small town for seven decades.”

“The Albertsons Media Collective offers 100 million addressable IDs drawn from 22 equally iconic and trusted retail brands like Jewel-Osco, Shaws Grocery, VONS, Acme Grocery Market, and Tom Thumb Supermarket operating in 13 of the top 15 DMAs."

He concluded: "We are just scratching the surface of the creative, business driving collaboration retail media alignment enables. Shame on us if retail media remains e-commerce search, sponsored products, and programmatic display.”

“The Collective is well on its way, thanks to our world class, over-achieving team. We will continue to work tirelessly to unlock the equity inherent in our unique brand relationships, to innovate new ways to serve the customer along her full journey, and to always strive for transparent, collective growth. It was going to take a dream job to get me to leave dentsu. I found it. Game on!"

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Retail media will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.