Saatchi CEO Takes Dual Role
Kevin Roberts, chief executive officer of Saatchi Worldwide, is adding the chairman’s role to his title, a move likely to cause unrest in the City.
The chairman’s seat became vacant when previous incumbent, Alan Bishop moved to the Central Office Of Communications, where he was appointed chief executive (see COI Appoints Ex-Saatchi Chairman As Chief Executive).
Roberts, who began his career working in London at Mary Quant, will be spending more time in Saatchi’s New York headquarters concentrating on global strategy.
The decision to appoint Roberts as both chairman and chief executive contradicts recommendations given by the US government to provide safeguards against illicit corporate behaviour.
Investors still reeling from the Enron and Worldcom scandals, reacted harshly to a similar appointment at AOL, where chief executive Dick Parsons also took the chairman’s role (see AOL Time Warner Puts Faith In Old Media).
Analysts have suggested the new role will make Roberts one of the biggest players in the global advertising market.
Saatchi & Saatchi www.saatchi.com
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