Ex-Publicis London chief Karen Buchanan to succeed Sue Little as McCann Manchester CEO
McCann Manchester has named Karen Buchanan as its new chief executive, bringing an end to Sue Little's 20-year tenure in the role.
Buchanan replaces Little as CEO
Buchanan will report directly to McCann's UK group boss Mark Lund when she takes up the post in January and will lead the agency in tandem with Little who will become agency chair. Previously chief exec and chair of Publicis London, Buchanan has also served as managing director of Red Brick Road and held leadership roles at DDB.
Lund said: “We’re delighted to have someone as talented as Karen join us to build on the momentum that has been achieved in the Manchester business and drive the next phase of growth there. She will be leading a terrific and talented team and partnering with Sue in her new role. Our business across the UK has never been stronger and Manchester’s success is a significant part of that.”
Buchanan added: "I look forward to working with the fantastic team both in Manchester and across the UK group, and taking both our clients’ businesses and our own to the next level.”
On departing her long-held role, Little branded McCann Manchester, mostly recently renowned for its Aldi work, as a "very special agency".
She said she was "very lucky to have been a part of that team for the past 35 years".
Little concluded: "I see Karen’s appointment and my new role as the next of those exciting opportunities and I am looking forward to working together to help create the next chapter in an amazingly successful business story.”