Huge Management Shakeup At Mediabrands And Its Top Agencies

Interpublic Group of Companies has implemented a major management shakeup of its Mediabrands operation, officials confirm. Out are both Nick Pahade, North American president of Initiative and Yin Roon Rani, who holds the same title at UM.

UM Global CEO Jacki Kelley and Initiative global CEO Jim Hytner are shifting to Mediabrands roles. The company has hired former Microsoft chief creative officer Gayle Troberman to a senior marketing position.  

Kelley is taking on the role of North America CEO at Mediabrands and president of global clients. She'll oversee operating units across Mediabrands agencies, including Initiative, BPN and UM as well as multi-national clients with headquarters in North America the shop confirms.

Hytner has been named CEO for G-14 group and will managing multi-national clients with headquarters in the markets that group covers. Andrea Suarez will continue to oversee World Markets, the third major Mediabrands region.

Troberman, who left Microsoft nearly a year after a management shakeup has been tasked with serving as liaison between Mediabrands agencies and client creative shops.

At Initiative, chief strategy officer Jim Elms will succeed Hytner as global CEO, officials confirmed. Daryl Lee, global chief strategy officer at McCann Worldgroup, will fill Kelley’s role at UM.

Peter Mears, CEO of Mediabrands Canada, will replace Pahade at Initiative North America. Pahade was in that role for just under a year.  

Sarah Personette is joining UM as North American president replacing Rani. Personette was previously with Facebook. It was not clear if Pahade or Rani would be given new roles at the company. 

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