Meet the new boss: Who is IPG's new CEO Phillipe Krakowsky?
Michael Roth is to be succeeded by Philippe Krakowsky at Interpublic Group by January, the network has announced (Wednesday 21 October). But just who is the man who will soon fill the hot-seat at one of the world's biggest marketing services companies?
Meet the new boss: Who IPG's new CEO Phillipe Krakowsky
Earlier today, Interpublic announced the accession of Philippe Krakowsky to chief executive officer in the new year. He’ll be replacing incumbent Michael Roth.
The 58-year-old Mexican holds an bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and started his career as part of a team that built and ultimately sold an artificial intelligence software company to Apple Computer.
From 1991 to 2000 he held senior vice-president roles at BBDO and then Young & Rubicam.
Roth, the man he replaces joined the IPG board in 2002 and chaired its audit committee until his appointment as executive chairman and co-CEO in 2004, and CEO in 2005.
He has served on the boards of several IPG companies such as Huge and O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul. He also served as interim chief executive of FCB in 2013.
He has enjoyed direct oversight of several IPG companies including Acxiom, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, Huge, Kinesso, Matterkind and R/GA.
Krakowsky is currently executive vice president and chief operating officer of IPG and the chairman of IPG Mediabrands. Prior to being named chief operating officer at IPG, he was chief executive of Mediabrands. It was there he led a 10,500-person unit. He’s now responsible for the marketing giant which comprises more than 50,000 staff.
Outgoing Roth branded Krakowsky a “brilliant strategist and effective leader” who helped shaped IPG's open architecture client service model, data modernisation, and the structure of its marketing services and media solutions. “He cares about people and leads with his head and his heart,” Roth added.
Philippe has also overseen communications, business development, strategy and talent functions. He will remain IPG’s chief strategy officer, too.
David Thomas, presiding director of the IPG Board, credited Roth with one of the “great turnarounds in American business”. From January, Roth becomes executive chairman of the board.