• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, January 4, 2010

In a surprise move, WPP named its top digital media executive, GroupM Interaction's Rob Norman, CEO of GroupM North America -- replacing longtime WPP media executive Marc Goldstein, who shared that role with GroupM's Chief Investment Officer Rino Scanzoni.

In a statement, GroupM Global CEO Irwin Gotlieb said Goldstein, who assumed the CEO role in February 2007, would "continue his relationship with GroupM as a senior advisor to the management group."

WPP described the realignment as "part of an executive restructuring," but did not specify any other management shuffles.

WPP said the changes would be effective March 31, and that Norman would retain his current role of CEO of GroupM Interaction, reporting to GroupM Global COO Rupert Day, while Scanzoni would continue reporting directly to Gotlieb.

Norman joined GroupM as part of WPP's acquisition of Tempus Group in 2001 and was a founding board member of the then newly merged Mediaedge:cia, where he led the agency's digital practice from its inception. He was chairman of Mediaedge:cia in the U.K. from 2002-2004 before moving to New York to lead the creation of MEC Interaction in 2005 prior to becoming CEO of GroupM Interaction in 2006.

Regarding Goldstein, Gotlieb stated: "Marc has been a vital part of both the establishment of Mindshare and the development of GroupM North America. His contributions have been central to our company's growth and to the establishment of the practices and systems that enable us to service our clients in a period of unprecedented change."