Kantar's Beth Ann Kaminkow appointed Geometry Global CEO as Steve Harding exits
Geometry Global has named Beth Ann Kaminkow, current chief executive of Kantar Consulting Americas, as its new global chief executive. She will take over from outgoing WPP veteran Steve Harding from next month.
Beth Ann Kaminkow
From 1 April, Kaminkow will spend “considerable time with Geometry’s clients and employees across the world listening and learning” as she takes over the reins at the WPP agency, she told The Drum.
Kaminkow will fill the position currently occupied by Harding, who has decided to move on from the company after a 14-year tenure. The exec will make a soft transition over the next month while she supports Kantar Consulting Americas as necessary during the shift.
Prior to Kantar Consulting Americas, where she was chief executive, Kaminkow served as global chief marketing officer of Westfield Corp and previously served as chief executive of Omnicom’s TracyLocke.
She plans to bring the customer-focused mindset she honed while in those roles to her role at Geometry.
“You must put the consumer at the center of all that you create, design, and communicate. Putting the consumer at the center requires data, insight, and turning both into actionable ideas,” said Kaminkow. “I’ve also learned that modern marketing requires new capability and a diverse team, which requires new partners and agencies that are equipped to extend the skill of your team and build the capability of your team.”
Kaminkow will bring that learning to bear as she contributes new thinking to upcoming pitches, she said.
“Beth Ann has done an exceptional job at Kantar Consulting and I am delighted that she will be taking up the chief exec role at Geometry,” WPP chief executive Mark Read said in a statement. “It’s a real testament to the strength of our network and the talent we have across the business.”
Read added his thanks to Harding for leading Geometry with “passion and determination,” as well as for “the central role he played in combining three separate entities to create a world leader in its field.”
After six years spent building a new global brand, and 14 years with WPP, Harding has decided to take some time to spend with his family. He hasn’t announced any specific plans at this time.
“The time is right to hand over the leadership reins,” Harding said in a release. “We have come a long way… and have begun the process of transformation that will ensure Geometry’s continued relevance and success.”
One plan Kaminkow already has in place to ensure that continued success is the Initiative for Real Growth, a study with chief marketing officers to understand how companies grow today,which Kantar Consulting launched in conjunction with WPP.
She said: “I look forward to bringing Geometry’s unique perspective to this and leveraging it to drive growth with our clients.”
The news was announced as WPP also released its preliminary financial results for 2018.