Pictured: former CEO Simon Davis; new CEO Lindsay Turner
The UK chief executive of both Blue 449 and Spark Foundry has unexpectedly left the business, one month after the agencies’ global businesses were merged by their advertising network, Publicis Media.
Although Blue 449 is to retain its brand in the UK to service domestic clients, the two agencies were united under one UK leadership team in order to facilitate a closer relationship.
Davis, who had been CEO of Blue 449 (formerly Walker Media) since 2010, took on the additional role as CEO of Spark Foundry.
“While I respect Simon’s decision to leave I will miss his wise counsel and his acute business acumen,” said Sue Frogley, CEO of Publicis Media UK.
“He has achieved so much at Blue 449 and I wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
Meanwhile Blue 449’s managing director, Lindsay Turner, has been promoted into the position and appointed to the Publicis Media UK board with immediate effect.
She has worked at Blue 449 for eight years, managing a number of key accounts and overseeing the creation of Blue 449 Luxe, a specialist luxury division.
“Lindsay is a proven operator who is a popular figure within the business and is greatly respected by colleagues and clients alike,” Frogley added.
“I am looking forward to working more closely with Lindsay and her senior management team in leading our two agencies into a new era of success.”
Turner, who will report into Frogley, said: “I am thrilled to be taking on this role and working across an exciting roster of clients with some of media’s greatest talent.
“The two agencies share an infectious entrepreneurial spirit and I believe will immediately deliver deeper capability to be the best possible business partner for clients to help them unlock new opportunities for growth.
“On a personal note, my progression shows Publicis Media’s commitment to fostering female talent within the organisation and I intend to continue to champion and further equality and diversity in the workplace.”
Publicis announced that it had merged Blue 449 and Spark Foundry last month, with the unified network operating under the Spark Foundry brand in the majority of markets.
However, Blue 449 is to continue to operate locally in the UK, US and France. At the time Publicis said practices including investment, performance, data sciences and content would offer a “clear structural point of difference” between the two.
