McCann Australia ‘remains focused’ after sacking of global CEO Nick Brien
In a potentially unsettling development for McCann’s Australian operation, global boss Nick Brien has been removed from his post.
Brien, who was instrumental in the merger of McCann Australia and Smart a year ago, is to leave after less than three years as chairman and chief executive.
Though the former media agency executive has taken flack for the network losing big global accounts such as Exxon Mobil, Nescafe and Lufthansa, he was regarded as a progressive force behind the reinvention of the world’s largest agency network, and played a key role in Australia.
McCann Worldgroup Australia boss Ben Lilley told Mumbrella in a statement: “We remain focused on the work we need to do to continue to grow McCann in this market.”
The news comes in the same week that regional boss Charles Cadell told Mumbrella that he expected McCann Australia to be a top three agency by this time next year.
Brien’s replacement is Interpublic executive – and former political-campaign consultant – Harris Diamond. Diamond moves across from running Interpublic’s CMG unit, which houses Jack Morton Worldwide, Octagon, FutureBrand, GolinHarris and Weber Shandwick.
Brien held leadership roles at IPG’s Mediabrands, Starcom, Leo Burnett and Arc.
Could it be part of the plan to make Mc C a top three Australian agency? Or could it be just another day in the abattoir?
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Well, at least Charles Cadell made his optimistic prediction BEFORE this news came out. Would have looked like a bit of knob otherwise. Still, Charles had very nice hair. Much nicer than Hamish McLennan’s
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