Omnicom Launches Omnicom Advertising Group (OAG) to Power the Next Generation of Creativity Posted on August 27, 2024August 27, 2024 by Katie Beaule OAG aligns BBDO, DDB, TBWA and the Advertising Collective under one leadership Accelerates investments in innovative tools, technologies, and AI platforms TBWA CEO, Troy Ruhanen, is elevated to Global CEO, OAG NEW YORK, Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Omnicom (NYSE: OMC) today announced the formation of Omnicom Advertising Group (OAG), a new global organization aligning world-class creative networks BBDO, DDB, TBWA, as well as leading agencies within the Advertising Collective including Goodby Silverstein & Partners, GSD&M, Merkley & Partners and Zimmerman. OAG will be led by Troy Ruhanen as Global CEO, Deepthi Prakash as Chief Operating Officer and Denis Streiff as Global CFO. Bringing these agency brands under one leadership addresses clients’ needs for powerful creative solutions like never before. Each will retain its unique brand, culture and people, while capitalizing on OAG’s shared and scaled investments in innovative tools, technologies, specialist capabilities, and AI platforms. This foundation will enhance agencies’ ability to deliver world-class creativity and accelerate growth, as well as unlock greater opportunities for personal and professional growth for their talent. The agency networks within OAG will report to Ruhanen and will be led by: Nancy Reyes, who was recently promoted to Global CEO of BBDO Alex Lubar, Global CEO of DDB Erin Riley, who is being elevated to CEO of TBWA\Worldwide from her previous role as TBWA\Chiat\Day US CEO James Fenton, CEO of the Advertising Collective “OAG will make the best even better. One of the most exciting parts of this new division is that we can collectively invest in innovative offerings – such as Omnicom’s recent first-mover partnerships in GenAI,” said Ruhanen. “This will take our world-class creativity to the next level and keep our clients at the top of their industries. While we are excited to grow together, we will continue to celebrate and protect the uniqueness of each agency’s culture and entrepreneurship.” Over the years, Omnicom has successfully organized its portfolio by aligning its agencies into marketing disciplines to strengthen the depth of its services and enhance collaboration across the group. This includes the formation of world-class Practice Areas such as Omnicom Media Group (OMG), Omnicom Health Group (OHG), Omnicom Precision Marketing Group (OPMG) and Omnicom Public Relations Group (OPRG). Each area now benefits from scaled investment and experimentation as the marketing world transforms. John Wren, Chairman and CEO of Omnicom said, “Clients want best-in-class talent, innovation and seamless delivery of creative services around the globe. OAG will deliver on that promise while allowing our agency cultures to remain strong and evolve through shared investments and best practices. With Troy at the helm of this new division, I’m confident our creative agencies and all our incredibly talented minds will continue to set the bar for the industry.” Existing clients will continue to be serviced by the agency and teams they currently work with, now with the enhanced capabilities of the wider group. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2025. About OmnicomOmnicom (NYSE: OMC) is a leading provider of data-inspired, creative marketing and sales solutions. Omnicom’s iconic agency brands are home to the industry’s most innovative communications specialists who are focused on driving intelligent business outcomes for their clients. The company offers a wide range of services in advertising, strategic media planning and buying, precision marketing, retail and digital commerce, branding, experiential, public relations, healthcare marketing and other specialty marketing services to over 5,000 clients in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.omnicomgroup.com.
Andrew Robertson To Become Chairman Of BBDO Worldwide Posted on August 14, 2024August 23, 2024 by Amanda Granath Nancy Reyes Appointed President and CEO NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — BBDO Worldwide announced today that Andrew Robertson, who has served as President and CEO since May 2004, will become Chairman on October 1st. Nancy Reyes will succeed him as President and CEO of BBDO Worldwide. Under his leadership, the network has been recognized as one of the most consistently creative and effective agencies in the world, garnering numerous industry accolades and setting a standard for creative excellence. BBDO was named Network of the Year at Cannes Lions a record-setting seven times and, in 2020, the first-ever Network of the Decade. Since 2005, BBDO has also been honored as Global Agency of the Year in Ad Age, Adweek and Campaign, was named Best of the Best by the World Advertising Research Center and has been recognized as the Most Effective Network in the world five times by the Global Effie Index. “We have been extremely lucky to have an industry titan at the helm of BBDO for over two decades,” said John Wren, Chairman and CEO of Omnicom. “Andrew’s passion for the business was felt by his people and clients alike, always hands on to ensure the network maintained its industry leading standards of creativity. We are grateful he will continue to guide the network in his new role as Chairman and are excited for Nancy to take the reins as CEO as she propels BBDO into the future.” Andrew was inducted to the AAF Hall of Fame in 2022 and has been named one of The 100 Most Influential Leaders in Marketing, Media and Tech, alongside the likes of Mark Zuckerburg, Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos. He has worked closely with many of the agency’s clients and been instrumental in some of its most notable new business wins, including, in recent years, The Home Depot, Enterprise Holdings, and Heineken. Nancy Reyes, who joined BBDO in October of last year, has an enviable track record for client growth and talent development. “When Nancy joined last year as CEO of The Americas, I’m sure it was clear to all what the plan was,” Robertson says. “In the time since, she has proven to be exactly what I expected – a decisive and fast-acting leader with a clear point of view on where we need to go as a network, resilience, a sense of humor, and a relentless drive to bring great work to our clients that drives their businesses. Nancy has made this decision very easy for me.” Nancy Reyes expressed her respect and admiration for Robertson: “I recognize I have some big shoes to fill. Andrew’s career and legacy is unparalleled – I am lucky he will be around to provide guidance and support to our clients, our teams and me. I am excited to have the opportunity to bring the beautiful community of BBDO together to design where we go from here. This is a fantastic agency with a very long runway ahead.” “I want to be clear. I have no plan to retire,” says Robertson. “As Chairman I will be here to help Nancy in whatever ways I can, to coach our people, and to work with our clients, something I have always loved doing.” About BBDO BBDO Worldwide is a global, full-service marketing communications agency network. At BBDO, our mantra is “The Work. The Work. The Work.” We believe passionately in the power of creativity to move people and therefore move brands and businesses towards growth. We’ve been around for 132 years and we still haven’t let the cement harden. That’s why, what matters to us is not what we have done but what we’re doing now and in the future. To keep forward momentum as we embark on another year of striving to be the most creative and effective agency in service of our clients and our people. BBDO is part of Omnicom (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com). About Omnicom Omnicom (NYSE: OMC) is a leading provider of data-inspired, creative marketing and sales solutions. Omnicom’s iconic agency brands are home to the industry’s most innovative communications specialists who are focused on driving intelligent business outcomes for their clients. The company offers a wide range of services in advertising, strategic media planning and buying, precision marketing, retail and digital commerce, branding, experiential, public relations, healthcare marketing and other specialty marketing services to over 5,000 clients in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit www.omnicomgroup.com.