Agency network Publicis Media has hired Steve Bignell as UK chief executive of Publicis Media Exchange, replacing Chris Williams after his move back to the US.
Bignell will be responsible for the trading and investment portfolio of one of the UK’s largest media buyers, with billings exceeding £1 billion a year on behalf of clients including Disney, Samsung, ASDA and GSK.
He brings to PMX experience from both the media owner and agency side, having spent two decades working at agencies including ZenithOptimedia, Mindshare and MediaCom, before moving to commercial broadcaster ITV in 2012.
“Steve brings with him a wealth of industry experience and I am delighted to have him on board,” said Sue Frogley, CEO at Publicis Media UK, whom Bignell will report into.
“His unique skill set and passion for innovation will ensure that PMX continues to drive performance and deliver best in class solutions for our clients.”
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The appointment will be a blow to ITV as it launches its new addressable advertising platform, Planet V. As director of advanced advertising (commercial), Bignell was a leading figure behind the project.
The platform is set to launch early next year.
Commenting on the news, Bignell said: “I’ve loved my nearly 8 years working at ITV and wish them every success in the future. However, the opportunity to join Publicis in this amazing role is impossible to refuse.
“I started my career in media at Zenith over 20 years ago and the opportunity to work with them and all of the other Publicis Media businesses and all of their roster of clients is fantastic.”
Publicis Media Exchange manages media trading and investment for all of Publicis Media’s UK agencies: Zenith, Starcom, Blue 449, Spark Foundry, Digitas and Performics.
