AKQA’s Amanda Morrissey is to become Publicis Media’s new UK CEO.
Morrissey, who as general manager of AKQA led the agency to achieve three consecutive years of double-digit growth, will be responsible for overseeing all in-market commercial operations at Publicis Media – including Starcom, Zenith and Mediavest; Spark and Optimedia; and Blue 449.
She has also held roles at Animal, Marwell Preservation Trust, Signature Sponsorship, The Marketing Store and Carlson Marketing Group.
Meanwhile, Blue 449 chairman, Phil Georgiadis, will take on the role of chairman of Publicis Media, where he will act as a strategic advisor to its development and as a counsel to Morrissey.
“These appointments combine the deep entrepreneurial media leadership expertise in Phil, with the proven transformation and agency management capability in Amanda,” said Iain Jacob, chief executive officer EMEA, Publicis Media.
“Amanda brings extensive experience of being at the forefront of digital innovation and working with brands on how best to leverage their capabilities in the digital age. Phil is an incredibly accomplished leader with an outstanding reputation, and his track record demonstrates his ability to grow brands and provide excellent advice and counsel. Both these appointments set the tone for our next phase of growth.”
In addition, Steve Parker, UK co-chief executive of Starcom Mediavest Group, is to move to Dubai to become chief executive of Publicis Media in the Middle East, leaving Pippa Glucklich to become sole CEO of Starcom.
