WPP names Publicis exec as its new chief marketing and growth officer
WPP has named Publicis Groupe veteran Laurent Ezekiel as the company's first chief marketing and growth officer.
Laurent Ezekiel leaves Publicis for WPP
Ezekiel joined Digitas in 2003, three years before Publicis bought the marketing company.
According to a Publicis spokesperson, Ezekiel served as president Digitas, North America and International.
According to an internal company announcement from WPP chief executive Mark Read, Ezekiel will split time between New York and London and will report directly to Read.
Ezekiel's priority is to support WPP’s growth strategy, and he will work alongside chief client officer Lindsay Pattison.
"Laurent’s combination of skills – as a modern marketer with experience in technology, data, client services and new business – is rare in our industry, and this is an important new role for WPP as we continue to reshape our company around the needs of our clients," Read said.
Ezekiel joins as Read is implementing a three-year company turnaround that will see WPP focus on commerce and tech as fundamental pillars.
Publicis recently secured GlaxoSmithKline's $1.7bn media account. According to a Publicis spokesperson, Ezekiel was in charge of the company's existing advertising relationship with the pharmaceutical company.
He previously worked at Grey in London and started his career at Saatchi & Saatchi.