• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, October 13, 2011

MEC, the WPP media shop, has promoted Marla Kaplowitz to North American CEO. Kaplowitz replaces Lee Doyle, who stepped down after four years in the job last month.

Marla joined the company in March of this year as president US Clients and head of planning. She was formerly executive vice president, managing director, leading the Procter & Gamble communications planning assignment for North America at MediaVest. 

Kaplowitz will report to Charles Courtier, the agency’s global CEO. Courtier stated that she was someone "with such strong skills and reputation within our company." He called her "exactly the right kind of modern strategic leader we need to re-energize our operations and drive positive change for the agency.”

It’s been a bumpy ride for MEC this year. Two important clients left, including Activision and Pizza Hut -- and two more are in review, including Novartis, where MEC is a finalist and Toys R Us, which the shop is also defending.

Commenting on her appointment, Kaplowitz stated: “We have a fantastic legacy and some of the most talented people I’ve worked with in 20 years.“

GroupM has indicated that Doyle will remain with the company in a position still to be announced. He oversaw a period of solid growth for MEC in North America, including the signing of its biggest client, AT&T, which chose the shop in a consolidation review in 2008.

MEC is the third GroupM media shop to replace its North American CEO this year. Earlier, Harvey Goldhersz replaced Doug Checkeris as North American CEO of MediaCom. Goldhersz retained his global COO role for the agency as well. This summer, Antony Young left Publicis' Optimedia to become North American CEO at Mindshare, succeeding Phil Cowdell, who was elevated to chairman, Mindshare North America.