Agency leaders exiting at eyebrow-raising rate

The number of senior-level leaders exiting agencies has reached eyerbrow-raising levels.

“WPP Chief Mark Read Will Exit as Ad Industry Grapples With Massive Changes,” headlined Variety. During his time in the holding company’s top role, states Variety, Read, shown above, “has tried to steer WPP through a difficult climate. Big advertisers like Procter & Gamble, Unilever and Ford Motor have begun focusing on the money they spend with companies like WPP, trying to winnow down not only the number of firms they work with but the fees they pay them. They are also able to purchase media time and collect consumer information more easily on their own.”  In addition, WPP’s predicted a drop in first-half revenues, with a “below-expectations decline” of 5.5% to 6% in the second quarter.

Closer to home, Capitol Communicator reported that Avoq announced that Nicole Cornish will step down as Chief Executive Officer by the end of the year; and Pam Jenkins, most recently Weber Shandwick’s Chief Public Affairs Officer and Chief Public Health Officer, joined Shatterproof as CEO.

In addition, online, we found the following list of departures:

• It is important to note, states an online item, that many other communications leaders “have made similar transitions. Their reasons often include seeking new challenges, exploring entrepreneurial opportunities, looking for a better work-life balance, or pursuing in-house roles with a focus on a specific company or brand.”  Note that the list of reasons does not include whether fundamental changes – such as AI – played any role in their decisions to leave.
  • At Ketchum: Mike Doyle, CEO and president of Ketchum, is leaving the agency at the end of July after a 30-year career.
  • At FCB Chicago: Kelly Graves, CEO FCB Chicago, is leaving the agency.
  • At BBDO: Jeff Adkins, who led the Chicago office of Energy BBDO) departed in July.
  • At DDB Chicago: Emma Montgomery, who led the DDB Chica office, left for Droga5 in New York.
  • And, at Omnicom: J.J. Carter replaced John Saunders at FleishmanHillard, and Jillian Janaczek replaced David Bentley as CEO of Porter Novelli.