OMG names Mike Cooper first group CEO, APAC and EMEA as Colin Gottlieb steps down
Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has appointed Mike Cooper, currently chief executive of OMG’s PHD Worldwide, to the newly-created position of group chief executive, APAC and EMEA, as Colin Gottlieb steps down as chief executive of OMG EMEA.
Mike Cooper appointed Omnicom Media Group’s new group CEO, APAC and EMEA
Omnicom said Gottlieb, an industry veteran, will move to an independent advisory role. Meanwhile Cooper’s replacement at PHD will be announced "in the coming days."
In his new role, Cooper has been tasked with ensuring consistently high service standards across all OMG agencies in markets outside the Americas, including Hearts & Science, OMD and PHD.
Additionally, he will lead the organizations’ adoption of 'transformative' practices, products, and technologies across markets.
“Mike’s proven talent for creating and expanding best practices across vastly different local markets has been critical to OMG’s global growth strategy,” said Omnicom Media Group's chairman and chief executive, Daryl Simm, in a statement.
“His record, and the respect he has earned from clients and agency teams at every level, speak to his energy, commitment and professionalism — qualities that he will bring to his new role, working with Hearts & Science, OMD and PHD leadership to assure the best outcomes for our clients across APAC and EMEA.”
As the first employee of OMD, the media services division of Omnicom Group, and its first regional chief executive, Cooper established OMD’s presence in Asia Pacific, laying the foundation that would support the agency’s global expansion.
During his tenure as chief executive of PHD Worldwide, Cooper’s leadership helped PHD grow from a small group of APAC- and EMEA-based agencies into a global network.
“APAC and EMEA encompass an exciting mix of established and emerging markets where OMG enjoys significant market share through three strong media networks,” said Cooper. “Working with our extraordinary talent across these geographies, I will be focused on growing that share by delivering the technology, products and service that translate to business results for our clients.”
Cooper’s executive team will include OMG EMEA’s current chief financial officer, Peter Poelzlbauer, who has been promoted to group chief financial officer for OMG APAC and EMEA, and Tony Harradine, OMG’s APAC chief executive.
Cooper will begin his new job on 1 July, based in London.