Change At The Top Of WPP's Maxus: Pattison Named Global CEO

Lindsay Pattison has been promoted to Global CEO of Maxus, one of the media agencies that operate under WPP’s GroupM along with Mindshare, MEC and MediaCom. 

Pattison replaces Vikram Sakhuja, who had been in the role for a little over two years. Sakhuja was based in India. Pattison, who has been based in London, will “co-locate” between London and New York and will report to London-based Dominic Proctor, Global President, GroupM. 

Pattison has led Maxus in the UK for the last five years, adding the role of global chief strategy officer to her responsibilities in August of 2012, around the time Sakhuja was named global CEO. During her watch as UK head, Maxus grew from a staff of 30 to over 250. She will be succeeded in that role by Maxus UK Managing Director Nick Baughan. 

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As chief strategy officer for the shop, Pattison was tasked with overseeing product, planning, marketing, new business and effectiveness. 

“Lindsay has a proven reputation as a leader and is held with enormous regard both internally and by her clients,” said Proctor. “She exemplifies the spirit and ambition of the Maxus culture and we are confident she will take the network into the next stage of growth.” 

“I love the energy of Maxus and I relish opportunity that comes from our unique and fortunate position as the challenger brand within GroupM,” said Pattison. “At Maxus we have a mantra to lean into change. In fact it’s really to lead change for our clients, navigating the complexity and embracing the possibilities offered in a digitalized, mobile, always-on media landscape.” 

The firm said that Sakhuja would “remain in the group,” but did not specify what his role or title would be. During his watch Maxus was cited as one of the fastest-growing media agencies by RECMA, expanding its network footprint and adding major new accounts such as NBC Universal and L’Oreal.

Pattison’s promotion is the latest senior management change at the agency in recent months. In May Steve Williams was named CEO North America. He replaced Louis Jones, who the agency said was retiring. Williams, who like Pattison is a UK native, ran the New York office of PHD prior to his appointment at Maxus.

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