Aegis Appoints New Chief To Replace Craze
Aegis Media has announced Nigel Sharrocks as the new chief executive of its UK and Ireland operations following the unexpected departure of Mark Craze from the position earlier this month.
Sharrocks comes to the role with a plethora of advertising and management experience. Having been managing director at Warner Brothers Pictures since 1999 he is used to heading up heavyweight companies, as well as having a strong track record and reputation in the advertising industry.
Credited with launching the Mediacom brand in the 1990s, Sharrocks enjoyed several senior management roles at Grey Advertising and has a strong presence in UK media. His appointment is hailed by Aegis as a signpost to their ambition and drive to increase the company’s already impressive performance.
Commenting on the appointment, Jerry Buhlmann, chief executive of Aegis Media EMEA, said: “Nigel is a great talent and his experience as a senior advertiser, and previously as a leader in both media and advertising agencies, make him ideal to take our media operations forward in the UK.”
He added: “As our business evolves, Nigel’s creativity, strategic thinking and high energy leadership skills will contribute greatly to both our European and UK management teams.”
Sharrocks steps into the well worn shoes of Mark Craze, who left Aegis on amicable terms a week ago today, ending a fifteen year career at the helm of the global advertising network (see Craze Steps Down From Aegis After Fifteen Years).
Among his duties, Sharrocks will almost certainly be required to increase billings at the company, as the latest Worldwide Media Agency Networks report from RECMA shows Aegis still trailing a long way behind the likes of Publicis and WPP, both of which recorded billings in excess of $30 billion during 2003 compared to Aegis’s $19.6 billion.
Commenting on his appointment Sharrocks said: “I know the Aegis media businesses well and believe that there are good opportunities to expand their market positions in the UK and Ireland. This is an exciting time to be joining the business and I look forward to bringing further impetus to it.”
Last month Publicis-owned ZenithOptimedia appointed Steve King as chief executive of its global operations following the announcement that John Perriss is stepping down after more than fifteen years at the global media services company (see ZenithOptimedia Appoints King As Global Chief Executive).
Aegis Group: 020 7070 7700 www.aegisplc.com
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