Howell To Head Up McCann-Erickson Europe
Rupert Howell, the former founding partner of HHCL & Partners, is to become president of McCann-Erickson’s Europe, Middle East and Africa group and chairman of the UK and Ireland group.
The appointment ends weeks of speculation and will see Howell take a place on the McCann-Erickson Worldwide board. He replaces Ben Langdon who was ousted from the group in June.
Howell, who is 46, has previously worked as joint chief executive of the now defunct Chime Communications group. In his new position he will work alongside David Warden, the chairman of the EMEA group.
Commenting on his appointment, Howell said: “I was very fortunate to have a choice of offers but in the end I picked McCann for three reasons. First, the scale and scope of the challenge – with HHCL and the IPA Presidency I feel I have scaled Ben Nevis in the UK, but McCann is Everest: you only have to look at their worldwide reach, incredible client list and the growth of the Worldgroup companies in recent years. I just couldn’t resist the opportunity to help build on that.”
He continued: “Secondly, I like and respect all the people I’ve met, especially John Dooner (Chairman & CEO Worldgroup) and David Warden (Chairman EMEA), and their thinking about the agency’s role on the demand side of the equation completely concurs with mine. And thirdly, the timing felt right. With John Dooner’s return to McCann, there is a determination to restore the traditional strengths of the agency, while adding thought leadership and raising the creative profile.”
Warden added: “it is a testament to our clout in the industry that we can attract someone of Rupert’s stature and accomplishment. His hiring is a real coup for us, and reflects our determination to extend our leadership both domestically and globally.”
McCann Erickson 0207 837 3737 www.mccann.co.uk
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