Carat’s Meischke moves to KFC as speculation grows on Ikon spin-off
Carat’s former trading director Paul Meischke is heading clientside, Mumbrella understands.
He will join Yum Restaurants to manage the marketing of KFC in a newly created role.
His move comes after the company – which also include Pizza Hut – was reported to be holding an internal review of its agency arrangements overseen by consultancy Kinesis.
Rumours have swirled around the brand since it dropped strategy agency Bellamy Hayden from its list and gave project work to Ikon’s planning unit C2. One piece of speculation suggested that Meischke – who was known to be extremely well regarded by the client – might turn up in a role related to Ikon, or possibly a new agency venture involving senior Ikon staff.
This speculation over Meischke intensifed after Carat brought in former Publicis AMX trading head Ian Lomas. And it grew again when two senior staff quit Naked for Ikon’s sister agency New Dialogue.
But Mumbrella has learned that Meischke is to move into a newly created marketing role on KFC, reporting in to chief marketing officer Jason Marker. Mumbrella also understands that Yum’s agencies have been told there will be no formal pitch although that may be reviewed early next year, depending on agency performance.
However, speculation continues in the market that senior staff at STW-owned Ikon are contemplating a new venture.
Ikon boss Gary Hardwick didn’t return Mumbrella’s call.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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Paul Meischke
Pizza Hut
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Yum Restaurants
“Ikon boss Gary Hardwick didn’t return Mumbrella’s call.”
Probably because hes in France doing the tour de france
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Is Gary Hardwick the new Lance Armstrong?
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Tres bien, Johnny D. Tres bien…
Tim,
Given my recent run of bad luck with cars, I’m very happy on my bike!
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Gary was spotted in the polka dot jersey atop Col ‘d Tourmalet and Col d’ Aspin on Sunday and Monday of this week.
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