Publicis Groupe has initiated the first steps in integrating with Bcom3 following the closing last month of the merger of the two advertising agencies.
Publicis Groupe plans to integrated D’Arcy into Publicis USA, with some accounts and teams going to Saatchi & Saatchi, with client’s agreement. D’Arcy Detroit is expected to form a new partnership with Leo Burnett Worldwide.
A number of executive appointments were made.
Rick Bendel has been named COO of Publicis Worldwide. He is currently regional chairman for the UK and the Nordic region. He will have responsibility, with CEO Maurice Levy, for that agency’s network development and will be vice chairman of the Publicis Worldwide Comex management committee.
Susan Gianinno, president and chief branding officer at D’Arcy Worldwide, will direct Publicis Worldwide USA as CEO and chairwoman. She replaces Bob Bloom who will remain on board through an implementation period.
Lee Garfinkel, president and chief creative officer at D’Arcy Worldwide, has been appointed worldwide creative director for Publicis Worldwide.
John Farrell, president and CEO of D’Arcy Worldwide, has been named president and CEO of the SAMS sector of Publicis Groupe.
Roger Haupt will manage the media counsel and buying area for Publicis Groupe.
The plan also calls for strengthening three main global agency networks: Publicis Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi and Leo Burnett Worldwide. Other units are expected to continue to develop according to plan.
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