Ex-Leo Burnett Sydney boss Tim Castree named global CEO of MEC
Tim Castree has been named global CEO of WPP media agency MEC as Charles Courtier steps down after 14 years leading the company.
Castree, who began his career at Leo Burnett in Melbourne and spent two years heading up the Sydney arm of the agency, will take up the mantle in January.
He steps into the role from his recent position as managing director of videology in North America, bringing 20 years of industry experience in digital, creative and media agencies. His past clients include Honda, Coca-Cola and Microsoft.
New MEC global boss Tim Caster
Kelly Clark, Global CEO of WPP parent company GroupM, said of the appointment: “Tim is a proven leader who will bring vision and energy to MEC. He has a laser focus on clients and what they need to win in today’s incredibly complex and competitive market. His broad range of client, agency and geographic experiences will help the MEC team continue to grow.”
Courtier’s departure is to “focus on interests outside the company”.
“I am immensely proud of what we’ve achieved at MEC and honoured to have worked with such unique people at such a genuinely special agency,” he said. “However, it is the right time for me to move on and start a second life.”
Courtier spearheaded MEC’s global expansion which now sees them managing advertising investments for clients in 93 countries.
Locally the agency has been on a decent new business run in the past two years, with clients including Netflix, Westpac (in a bespoke agency model) and Nestle.
GroupM chairman Irwin Gotlieb said of Courtier’s contribution: “Charles was instrumental in MEC’s global expansion; he leaves MEC with a strong culture focused on delivering client growth and a long run among the top five agencies in the world.”
Courtier will continue in his role at WPP until June next year.
