Philippa Brown named worldwide CEO of PHD
The CEO of Omnicom Media Group in the UK, Philippa Brown, will become the global CEO of the groups’s media agency PHD as the holding group continues to shuffle its leadership.
Brown moves into the global CEO role for PHD after Mike Cooper was promoted to become CEO of Omnicom Media Group for the APAC and EMEA regions.
Brown joined Omnicom Media Group in 2007
Under the new structure, CEO of Omnicom Media Group in Australia, Peter Horgan, will continue to report to Singapore-based CEO for Asia Pacific, Tony Harradine. Harradine took over the APAC role in April last year, when CEO Cheuk Chiang stepped down. He now reports to London-based Cooper, who reports to Omnicom Media Group CEO Daryl Simm.
In the US, Omnicom Media Group is run by Hearts & Science founder Scott Hagedorn, who also answers to Simm.
Omnicom Media Group’s EMEA boss, Colin Gottlieb, is stepping down after nearly 30 years and won’t be directly replaced.
Brown’s current role of CEO of the UK division of Omnicom Media Group is yet to be filled.
Brown joined the group in 2007, with the company noting she has led OMG UK “through a period of consistent growth and expansion”.
She oversaw a team of 1,600 people looking after 270-plus clients.
The company said every milestone of the past decade – including the launch of Hearts & Science in the UK, winning a host of awards, and expanding the group’s footprint – had been helped by Brown.
Simm said she is a proven leader and a natural fit for the global role.
“As CEO of OMG UK, she worked closely with Mike Cooper in the original positioning of PHD as a global network, and has been heavily involved in PHD’s international client success. She has singular insight into PHD’s culture, the expectations that clients have of the agency, and the ongoing transformation required for success.”
The company said she is known across the industry for her skill in building enduring client relationships, as well as attracting and retaining talent via a “learning culture”.
Brown was full of praise for the agency she will now lead on a global scale.
“Over the past decade, PHD has become one of the most respected agency networks in the industry. Its growth, thought-leadership and award-winning work is a testament to Mike Cooper’s leadership, and the combined contributions of our many talented people all around the world,” she said.
“My job – working with all the PHD offices and our clients – is to now build on the great success that has already been achieved.”
Brown will be based in London and starts the new role on 1 July.
CEO of PHD Australia, Mark Coad, continues to report to Horgan.
