McCann Loses Kite As Wind Of Change Sweeps Management

Staff – MediaTel NewsLine Jim Kite, Universal McCann’s top research executive, has left the company’s global research division at the Interpublic unit, taking up the head research post at Publicis’ MediaVest unit to mark the latest high-profile defection from McCann’s senior management team.

Last month saw Robin Kent replaced in the position of worldwide chief executive of Universal McCann by Murray Dudgeon, the agency’s chief operating officer, acting in an interim basis. However, the high-profile game of management musical chairs has come at a critical time for the company, as it seeks to defend its combined billings of $1.7 billion amid reviews by clients such as General Motors and L’Oreal.

Kite, an experienced media researcher with 16 years of employment in the industry, will join MediaVest as executive vice president and director of insights, research and accountability. Amongst his chief responsibilities will be the management of the company’s annual studies into consumers relationship with the media and how they engage with different media channels.

Commenting on his departure, Kite said: “I’ve had a great home for eight years at Universal McCann, and I have a lot of affection for the agency. As for signing on with MediaVest as opposed to other agencies, I feel that they are at the head of the pack when it comes to communications planning and research. It’s easy to think all media agencies are the same. But at UM, holistic, media-neutral planning is part of the process from the very beginning of the client relationship. It’s not something that’s just pulled off the shelf from time to time.”

Kite’s departure will no doubt hit McCann hard, although the company has had reason to celebrate in recent months, with Intel’s $300 million global account secured and the acquisition of Catherine Warburton-Scott from Aegis’ Carat USA, who will join the firm as senior vice president of national broadcast for client Sony.

McCann has no plans at present to replace Kite, with a spokeswoman confirming: “Our global research council, which is responsible for our tools and systems, remains unaffected.”

Universal McCann: www.universalmccann.com

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