Grey picks CEO of LatAm agencies Alain Groenendaal to lead Europe business
Grey has picked the chief executive of its business in Latin America Alain Groenendaal to oversee its markets in Europe following David Patton’s appointment as global president for Y&R.
Alain Groenendaal, CEO of Grey Europe.
Groenendaal will relocate to London as president and chief executive of Grey Europe, ending a four-year stint in one of the agency’s emerging markets. During that period, he steered the division to acquire Circus Grey in Peru and Maruri Grey in Ecuador.
He joined in 2008 to head up its multicultural offer Wing in the US. Prior to that he worked at several Leo Burnett offices including Chile, Puerto Rico and Brazil.
Groenendaal’s replacement as chief of Grey’s Latin America business will be announced in the coming weeks, the company said.
The move comes after Patton’s (see pic below) switch to Y&R where he will become global president from January. It is the second time this year that a Grey alumna have been picked to lead one of the WPP group’s largest advertising agenices, following Tamera Ingram’s promotion to JWT’s top role earlier this year.
Patton joined Grey in 2007 and is said to have a played a key role in reviving the business, starting with its London unit.
“David takes with him our sincere gratitude and best wishes for much continued success,” the agency said in a statement.