New York, NY – The Interpublic Group announces that Nick Brien will succeed John Dooner as CEO of McCann Worldgroup effective April 1. This is the culmination of a multi-year plan led by IPG’s Chairman and CEO Michael Roth and its Board of Directors to ensure a seamless management transition at the holding company’s largest operating unit.
Dooner, who also played an active role in the process, will stay on as Chairman of McCann Worldgroup through 2010 to ensure a seamless transition.
“McCann Worldgroup is a global integrated marketing powerhouse and we wanted to be sure that the selection of new leadership was implemented as thoughtfully and thoroughly as possible,” said Roth. “This will ensure that the agency’s future lives up to its storied place in the history of our industry. With the guidance of the board and John’s active participation, I am confident that we have considered the most comprehensive slate of candidates.
Nick has experience at senior levels in agencies across the full range of marketing services and he’s accomplished great things since joining us to lead UM a few years back – we are all in agreement that he is a terrific choice to lead McCann at this vital time of change and opportunity in media and marketing,” Roth added.
Of Brien, Dooner said, “Nick has a vision of where our industry is going and how to position agencies to be ahead of these changes. He has the passion and drive that are required to lead a complex, global company. I am enormously proud of McCann
Worldgroup’s record of success and innovation and all of my colleagues who have helped set the standard for our industry and I’m confident Nick will do an extraordinary job to raise the bar even higher.”
“Our industry is undergoing radical transformation. To keep pace with the changes being driven by emerging technology, it is vital to focus on collaboration, creativity and organizational flexibility,” said Brien. “The turnaround at Mediabrands is a testament to these qualities, as well as to our partnership with the senior team at IPG. I look forward to working with McCann management, notably COO Eric Keshin and members of the Worldgroup board, to invigorate and accelerate the company’s progress along a similar path to future success. And I am honored to be presented the opportunity to lead one of our industry’s great brands.”
Due to Brien’s move to McCann Worldgroup, Mediabrands will be led by an Office of the Chairman, reporting directly to him, comprised of Richard Beaven, CEO of Initiative, Tara Comonte, Mediabrands’ COO and CFO, Matt Freeman, the recently-named CEO of Mediabrands Ventures and Matt Seiler, CEO of UM.
A decision on the new CEO for Mediabrands will not be contemplated until 2011.
adobo magazine. The Word on Advertising.
