• by David Goetzl , March 18, 2010

Jerry Buhlmann, head of media operations globally, including Carat, will become CEO of all Aegis Group in May. He succeeds John Napier, who held the top post in an interim role and remains chairman at the holding company.

Aegis made the announcement while releasing 2009 results, touting its media operations and saying market research company Synovate improved results from a difficult first half in the second. Nonetheless, company-wide global organic revenue dropped nearly 10%.

"The Aegis Media division remained robust with a ... constant revenue performance slightly below expectations, but supported by further cost reductions and a record year in net new business wins," the company said.

In addition to Carat, the media business includes out-of-home agency Posterscope and digital business Isobar. Globally, Isobar made up 31% of revenue for the unit.

Aegis said it had plans to raise $258 million in capital to put it on course to make multiple acquisitions. "Likely to be plural rather than limited to one specific deal," the company said.

Total revenues for 2009 dropped about 9% to $2.05 billion. Profit fell 15% to about $259.5 million.

Buhlmann has headed the global media business since 2008, and led Carat International from 2000-03.