• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, March 7, 2013

GroupM has launched a new consulting business, GroupM Consulting Services,  that is headed by Ernie Simon, most recently Chief Strategy Officer at Omnicom’s OMD.

The new unit will offer clients advice and resources in the areas of analytics, ROI, portfolio management, marketing budget allocation and optimization, target prioritization, and business forecasting.

In his new role, Simon will report to Kelly Clark, CEO GroupM North America. Clark cited Simon’s “great mix of strategic and analytical skills,” and his experience in a wide range of product and service categories.

Before joining OMD in 2009, Simon, a 25-year industry veteran, spent 10 years at GroupM agency Mindshare where he was Chief Strategist and president, strategic planning. He helped develop and lead the shop’s communications planning practice, among other responsibilities.

At one point he served as Worldwide Strategic Planning Director on the Gillette account and also  managed the Bristol Myers-Squibb US account, as well as the Warner-Lambert/Pfizer business.  He joined Mindshare when it was founded in 1999. He previously worked in the media department of WPP sister agency JWT.