Emily Tan
Feb 5, 2013

Jim Hytner promoted to CEO, IPG Mediabrands G14 and president, global clients

GLOBAL - Jim Hytner, previously global CEO of Initiative, will move into the newly created role of CEO of IPG Mediabrands G14 and president, global clients.

Hytner:
Hytner: "Cluster structure allows us to prioritise investment in clients' key markets"

G14, represents a cluster of Mediabrands' highest value markets: Australia, Benelux, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Spain and the UK.

Hytner, who will continue to be based in London, 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. 

"We work with clients globally, regionally and locally, and that's how we are set up to deliver," Hytner told Campaign Asia-Pacific. "However, the cluster structure has also allowed us to prioritise investment in our clients' key markets, and roll out products and tools where they matter most."

An example of this, he continued, is the launch of Mediabrands Audience Platform in Australia, Netherlands, UK, India, Germany and China first. "Rather than treating all regional markets the same. They are not the same," said Hytner. 

Marc Bresseel, president of Initiative G14, has also been promoted to the new role of president, clients and services at G14 Mediabrands, reporting to Hytner.

Jacki Kelley (previously global CEO of UM) will move immediately into the newly created role of CEO of IPG Mediabrands North America and president, global clients.

Jim Elms, who has been with IPG Mediabrands for the past three years, most recently as chief strategy officer, will become global CEO of Initiative, while Daryl Lee has been appointed global CEO, UM. He is rejoining UM after spending the past 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.

These moves within the G14 cluster are part of a global transition towards the cluster system by IPG Mediabrands, which first started in 2011, according to a company statement.

The cluster system has been highly effective for Mediabrands, said Hytner. "It is no coincidence at all that the eight markets where we've introduced full Mediabrands leadership within the cluster are now the most effective. Not simply financially, but more importantly, in terms of client offerings and client service."

Hytner will have ultimate P&L responsibility across all agencies and services across the G14 region.
 
Within the G14 cluster, 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.
 
Matt Seiler, global CEO of IPG Mediabrands, said: “With people like [Hytner) and [Kelley] 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."
 
Source:
Campaign Asia

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