• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, December 11, 2013

Publicis Worldwide has reorganized its U.S. and Canadian units into a single North American operation and named Andrew Bruce CEO North America. Previously he led the agency’s Canadian organization from Toronto and will relocate to New York to oversee the newly merged entity.

Susan Gianinno, the long-time leader of Publicis USA, has been named chairman of Publicis North America and will concentrate on “key global and regional clients” according to the holding company. She will also work with Arthur Sadoun, recently named CEO Publicis Worldwide, on global initiatives being undertaken by the agency.

Gianinno has also been named an Advanced Leadership Fellow at Harvard and will devote a portion of her time in 2014 to a one-year fellowship at the university. Publicis said she would resume her full-time role at the agency once that fellowship ends. She remains based in New York.

Bruce has been with Publicis since 1999, most recently as president and CEO of the Canadian region. His brother Duncan, who has been creative director there, has been elevated to the post of President. There is no word yet on Gianinno’s successor at Publicis USA.

The agency’s U.S. offices include New York-based Publicis Kaplan Thaler, San Francisco-based Riney, Publicis Dallas and Publicis Seattle.  In addition to Toronto, Canadian offices are located in Montreal, Calgary and Windsor.

Holding company CEO Maurice Levy stated: “I am sure that under this new team leadership, Susan and Andrew, this new mega region will generate great work for our clients and formidable growth.”