• The New York Times, Tuesday, December 12, 2006 12:01 PM

Edward H. Meyer, who turns 80 next month, will announce today that he is stepping down as chairman and CEO of Grey Global Group. Meyer has controlled Grey Global's destiny for three decades, while building it into one of the world's biggest--and most profitable--ad agencies.

Meyer last year sold Grey to the WPP Group for $1.75 billion. As part of the deal, he agreed to give up his posts as chairman and chief executive of the Grey Worldwide division by September 2005. Then, 15 months later, he was to give up his duties as chairman and chief executive of Grey Global.

James R. Heekin, who assumed Meyer's Grey Worldwide roles last year, will also take over Meyer's duties at Grey Global. To signal the end of the days of Grey as a "one-man band," Heekin is reorganizing senior management.

Joe Celia, chairman and CEO of G2, which oversees new media, direct marketing and design, will also serve as a vice chairman of Grey Global. Tim Mellors, president and chief creative officer for the North American operations of Grey Worldwide, will be promoted to vice chairman and chief creative officer at Grey Global.

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