Publicis Groupe rejigs management & leadership team to fuel fresh thinking
With a firm objective to extend its presence in the digital sphere and enrich its offerings by creating new services, either by organic growth or acquisitions, notably in the realm of technology, Publicis Groupe recently concluded a board meeting that brings out several changes in the company’s management structure and senior leadership as well.
Creation of Directoire+
The terms of office of the current Directoire, members include: Maurice Lévy, Chairman, Jean-Yves Naouri, Jean-Michel Etienne and Kevin Roberts, are to end with immediate effect. This also means an end to Mr Yves-Naouri’s inclusion in the management structure. Not only, a new Directoire is appointed but this time, it comprises additional senior executives of the Groupe, to form the ‘Directoire+’.
The aim is to involve an expanded team in the management of the Groupe at the highest level and in the preparation for its future.
The Directoire consists of Maurice Lévy as Chairman, Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner, Kevin Roberts and Jean-Michel Etienne. It will be complemented with the addition of Laura Desmond, CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group; Steve King, CEO of ZenithOptimedia; Arthur Sadoun, CEO of Publicis Worldwide and Rishad Tobaccowala, Chief Strategist of Publicis Groupe to form the Directoire+.
As per a company statement, these initiatives will lead the way for a new generation at the helm of the Groupe. Its mission will be the seamless implementation of the changes required to optimise the use of Groupe resources and its transformation into a hybrid company of the new era: an alchemy of talents offering advertisers the strategic, creative and technological solutions they need to progress, both in terms of image and of growth, in a world of constant upheaval generated by technological innovations.
Promotions at the Groupe
#1 With effect from January 1, 2015, Kevin Roberts, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide, is appointed Executive Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi/Fallon and takes on the role of Head Coach of Publicis Groupe, with the task of inspiring and motivating the Groupe’s top leaders (P1000).
#2 At the same date, Robert Senior will be appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Chris Foster as Chief Operating Officer of the Saatchi & Saatchi/Fallon network. Both have proved their weight in their previous responsibilities, and will be instrumental in ensuring the development of this major Groupe subsidiary.
#3 Axel Duroux is to join Publicis Groupe on October 1, 2014, to take over strategy, development, performance and optimisation of the Groupe’s presence in emerging and fast-growing markets.
#4 The Razorfish and Rosetta agencies, along with certain Nurun assets, will come together under the new Razorfish Global brand, under the responsibility of Tom Adamski, CEO of the new entity. Luke Taylor, CEO of DigitasLBi, and Tom Adamski, CEO of Razorfish Global, will report directly to the Groupe Chairman and CEO.
#5 Rishad Tobaccowala is appointed Chief Strategist of Publicis Groupe, with responsibility for strategic thinking in regards to the digital future of the Groupe.
#6 Frank Voris, CEO of VivaKi, is promoted to CEO of Re:sources and will have overall responsibility for the Groupe’s Shared Service Centers and internal IT. He will also supervise Prodigious, the Groupe’s production platforms.
#7 VivaKi will continue its development through two divisions: VivaKi Exchange, under CEO Simon Pardon, who will deploy trading, negotiation and execution operations worldwide, and VivaKi Data under CEO Stephan Beringer, who will be responsible for the development of AOD and of technology platforms, particularly in the field of data. The position of Chair will alternate yearly between Laura Desmond, who is to serve the initial term, followed by Steve King.
#8 The performance of the healthcare communications network under CEO Nicholas Colucci, particularly in the digital sector, has led to consider new developments in digital platforms at PHCG.
#9 A working group chaired by Tom Bernardin, CEO of Leo Burnett, will reflect upon geographic coverage and optimisation of our network of creative agencies, the steering of integrated communications for our clients, and will produce an action plan to be implemented over the course
of 2015.
#10 The strategic communications, events and public relations businesses of MSLGROUP under the responsibility of CEO Olivier Fleurot will be reinforced.
#11 Tom Adamski, Axel Duroux, Robert Senior, Luke Taylor, Mark Tutssel, Chief Creative Officer at Leo Burnett, and Jean-François Valent will join the current members of P12, the Groupe’s strategic consulting and operational coordination committee.
