• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, February 4, 2016

WPP’s MEC has named Stuart Bowden global chief strategy officer, while Pele Cortizo-Burgess has been appointed its Chief Creative Officer, based in New York.

Bowden was previously Co-CEO MEC UK along with Jason Dormieux, who now takes the role of sole CEO for the agency’s UK operations.  Cortizo-Burgess was previously global integrated planning director for the agency.

The CSO role at the agency has been vacant for over a year. 

Global CEO Charles Courtier said that Bowden is tasked with “designing, integrating and championing MEC’s strategic product and applying it to our clients business, as well as looking at the long term development of the agency.” 

Cortizo-Burgess is tasked with driving innovation throughout the agency.

Of his appointment, Courtier said, “Our leadership in innovation and creativity is an essential part of the agency’s future. Pele will accelerate the pace of change at MEC, driving an agenda for innovation and compelling work. The ultimate goal of this role is to get better award-winning work for our clients in every corner of the network.”