Publicis Makes Key Promotions

Publicis Communications CEO Arthur Sadoun announced a series of key promotions within the holding company’s network today, Adweek reports

Among the promotions, Carla Serrano and Bill Kanarick were appointed as co-chief strategy officers of Publicis Communications. Serrano will also continue to lead Publicis New York as CEO, while Kanarick will retain his role as CSO of Publicis digital hub Publicis.Sapient. 

“Our ambition is to be our clients’ indispensable creative partner in their transformation,” Sadoun told Adweek. “With these appointments, we are creating closer ties with Publicis.Sapient to deliver the interdependent model of the future to all of our clients. We are strengthening our leadership teams to continue to raise the bar for creative excellence.” 

Sadoun added in an internal memo that part of the strategy involves leveraging SapientNitro’s digital capabilities across Publicis’ agency network.

Kate Stanners was also appointed global chairwoman of Saatchi & Saatchi, while continuing to serve as global chief creative officer. She takes over for Kevin Roberts in the role, following  Roberts’ resignation at the start of the month in the wake of his controversial remarks about gender diversity issues in a Business Insider interview that “The fucking debate is over” and he doesn’t spend “any time” worrying about diversity issues at his agencies. 

Leo Burnett Canada CEO and CCO Judy John will now also serve as Leo Burnett chief creative officer, North America, while Brent Nelson will take on the role of chief strategic officer for Leo Burnett, North America. John and Nelson will join global CEO Rich Stoddart and global CCO Mark Tutssel to complete Leo Burnett’s leadership team, and will be responsible for uniting the agency’s operations in the U.S. and Canada. 

Rounding out the series of promotions, Publicis Conseil CEO Valérie Henaff will take on the additional role of Publicis Worldwide global president, while Loris Nold will now serve as Publics Communications chief operating officer, Asia and the Middle East and Justin Billingsley will serve as COO for Latin America and Europe. 

“We are reinforcing the spirit of Power of One by simplifying our structures at local levels to foster greater collaboration and seamless access to resources,” Sadoun said. “In just nine months, our approach has delivered some fantastic results, and I know that with these latest moves the best is yet to come,” he added, referring to the restructuring moves last December which also led to Sadoun’s appointment as Publicis Communications CEO.

 

Saatchi & Saatchi London, Toyota Want You to ‘Go Fun Yourself’

Saatchi & Saatchi teamed up with Internet prankster Rahat to launch a new multichannel campaign promoting the Toyota Aygo.

Part of the “Go Fun Yourself” campaign, the debut spot features Rahat slipping into a costume that perfectly matches the seats of the Toyota Aygo, making the car appear to be driving itself. He then drives around Europe with a hidden camera documenting people’s reactions. That’s right, another hidden camera prank video. If you’re tired of these already, you might want to head elsewhere, because the 90-second “Who’s Driving” — set to the Fratelli’s track, “Chelsea Dagger,” and directed by Smuggler’s Jamie Rafn — doesn’t do a lot to distinguish itself from the pack.

The spot will launch the “Go Fun Yourself” Pan-European integrated campaign on TV, in cinemas, and online — supported by social and print components — today, in markets including the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Denmark. “Go Fun Yourself” attempts to “emphasize Aygo’s image as the playful, dynamic car of choice suited to those that don’t take themselves seriously.” Aimed at a younger audience, the campaign will comprise a series of prankster-style videos and social activity which will roll out across the year.

“Aygo is not just another car, so for the launch we wanted to do things differently,” said Stephane Rydlewski, brand & communication manager, Toyota Europe. “With ‘Go Fun Yourself’, we found the perfect way to express the true spirit of the car – fun, provocative & irreverent, without taking ourselves too seriously. We all have this fun inside, we just need to let it go. This is the magic of the new AYGO campaign.” Stick around for credits after the jump. continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.