IPG Mediabrands G14 completes transition to Cluster System

Jim Hytner, Global CEO, Initiative, will move into the new role of CEO, IPG Mediabrands G14. Leadership changes expected to broaden benefits, including in India

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | February 6, 2013

IPG Mediabrands, the media innovation arm of Interpublic Group, has announced the addition of a new leadership position at the holding company level for G14, which represents a cluster of its highest value markets: Australia, Benelux, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain and the UK.

On the heels of another strong year for IPG Mediabrands in the G14 cluster, whose markets are a strong driver of the group's worldwide growth, this move completes the evolution of the G14 cluster to simplify, accelerate and continue to deliver bespoke product and service offerings and to ensure the most efficient development and deployment of tools, talent and opportunity.

Jim Hytner, previously Global CEO, Initiative, will move into the new role of CEO, IPG Mediabrands G14, reporting to Matt Seiler. In this role, he will be tasked with focusing on increasing collaboration and efficiencies across the multiple agencies in the IPG Mediabrands network and will manage all G14-based client relationships across UM, Initiative and BPN including Unilever, AB InBev and BMW.

Marc Bresseel, currently President, Initiative G14, will move into the new role of President, Clients & Services, G14 Mediabrands, reporting to Hytner.

These moves within the G14 cluster are part of a global transition towards the cluster system by IPG Mediabrands, which has led to several key new appointments internationally. Jacki Kelley, previously Global CEO, UM, will move immediately into the newly created role of CEO, IPG Mediabrands North America, and President, Global Clients.

Jim Elms, who has been with IPG Mediabrands for the last three years, most recently as Chief Strategy Officer, will become Global CEO, Initiative. Daryl Lee has been appointed Global CEO, UM, rejoining UM after having spent the last few years as global Chief Strategy Officer at McCann Worldgroup. In their new roles Elms and Lee will focus on product, proposition and process development within the agency networks. Kelley, Elms and Lee will all report to Matt Seiler.

Hytner will have ultimate P&L responsibility across all agencies and services across the G14 region.

Within the G14 cluster, IPG Mediabrands' agency networks, UM, Initiative, BPN, ORION Holdings and its diversified services under MAP, MAGNA, the IPG Media Lab, Shopper Sciences and Ensemble, will remain strong players in their own right. Each respective agency will be helmed by a brand leader to ensure its individuality. These moves will see four new positions added to IPG Mediabrands in the G14, a minor adjustment to the 2,527 employees in the G14 under the agencies.

The cluster structure has allowed IPG Mediabrands to have a clearer focus in the past and to be more innovative, differentiated and competitive. Expanding its scope to the entire G14 cluster will only expand its benefits: allowing for relevant collaborations and strategic investment while improving client service.

Matt Seiler, Global CEO, IPG Mediabrands, said, “Jim Hytner has an incredible track record in deploying the best solutions for clients, allowing us to impact focus, planning and follow through to define, sell and produce the best IPG Mediabrands services for our clients globally. With people like Jim and Jacki moving into new key roles, we are empowering our agency brands by creating an easy to buy and sell portfolio of offerings, a new service-based culture and a clear proactive sales plan to deliver growth. Quite simply, we are investing to win in 2013 with new, streamlined IPG Mediabrands capabilities, rock star talent around the globe, best in class tools and services, and a continued commitment to lead the industry.”

Jim Hytner, CEO, IPG Mediabrands G14, said, “G14 is not new. Matt Seiler introduced the cluster system early in 2011 and most markets have been transitioning over smoothly, enjoying strong benefits. These markets have seen the cluster system help break silos down locally and stem a collaborative and more client-centric culture. My role is to complete the work started in 2011 and both accelerate growth and make sure our clients get the best of what the network has to offer. I'm thrilled that Jim Elms will be leading Initiative globally and couldn't think of a more appropriate, forward thinking leader to continue with that agency.”

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com