• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, December 7, 2004

Publicis Tuesday restructured its management team, for the first time naming a media line operations executive, Starcom MediaVest Group CEO Jack Klues, to its management board. The move is an acknowledgement of the growing importance of media within Publicis, parent of Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia Group.

It also recognizes the growing influence of Klues, a folksy Midwesterner who has reengineered SMG into a world class media services agency.

"We will benefit tremendously at a time when the importance of media has never been greater, when the holistic approach is a critical strategic objective for us and for our clients, and when Jack's hands-on experience and comprehensive knowledge of the American marketplace can guide the management board and the group as a whole," says Maurice Levy, CEO of Publicis.

The move also elevates the role of SMG's top executive at a time when Publicis has been taking steps to better integrate and coordinate the activities of SMG and ZenithOptimedia.

In a related move, Roger Haupt, president and COO of Publicis Group announced he planned to "progressively relinquish his responsibilities," though he will remain chairman of the recently formed Publicis Group Media unit that oversees SMG and ZenithOptimedia.