Hasta La Creative!

Storied Detroit agency Campbell Ewald has named Jim Palmer its new CEO.

Most recently Mr. Palmer served as chief client officer, succeeding Bill Ludwig. Mr. Ludwig suddenly departed the shop in mid-June after clocking more than 30 years at Campbell Ewald — during which time he ascended from a copywriter to chief exec. The timing of the exit was surprising, on the heels of CE picking up Cadillac’s account (along with sibling shops Hill Holliday and Lowe) after a pitch. He’s moving on to an unspecified new ad venture that “could see him remain connected to IPG,” according to a statement from Interpublic.

Ad Age previously reported Mr. Palmer was the front-runner for the post. He’s another longtime CE staffer, having joined in 1991, initially focused on the agency’s publishing division. Before that he held sales and marketing positions with Westin Hotels and Merrill Lynch. Under him, Kathleen Donald, the agency’s current president, will become chief operating officer and take on additional management responsibilities.

Continue reading at AdAge.com