Ogilvy & Mather names John Seifert Worldwide CEO, makes other senior moves
Ogilvy & Mather, one of the world’s largest marketing communications companies, has announced the appointment of John Seifert as worldwide chief executive officer. Seifert succeeds Miles Young, who will take on the position of Warden at his alma mater New College at Oxford University.
Most recently, Seifert served as chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather North America, a position he will retain in his new role. He will partner with Tham Khai Meng, Ogilvy & Mather’s chief creative officer, who will also become co-chairman of the Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide board.
Before assuming leadership at Ogilvy & Mather North America, Seifert was responsible for a portfolio of 25 global clients totaling nearly $1bn in revenue. He has worked throughout the agency’s worldwide network in client leadership and general management positions in Los Angeles, Chicago, Bangkok and Singapore.
“I am honored and humbled to succeed Miles as Worldwide CEO of a company I deeply love, and a brand that commands such respect around the world,” said Seifert, who is a 37-year veteran at WPP-owned Ogilvy & Mather. “David Ogilvy has been my hero since I joined the agency as a summer intern in 1979.”
Additional moves announced by Young include an expansion of responsibilities for two of O&M’s regional directors. Paul Heath, chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather Asia-Pacific, and Paul O’Donnell, chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) will support Seifert and Tham and their executive team as worldwide executives.
“I am blessed to have colleagues who are my dearest friends, and clients who put so much trust in our work for them,” noted Seifert. “I want to thank both Miles and Martin (Sorrell) for their confidence in giving me this extraordinary responsibility. I will never take it for granted, and do all I can to live up to what David Ogilvy expected from every leader of this amazing company.”
Seifert will remain based in New York.