• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, October 21, 2011

In his continuing effort to modernize McCann Worldgroup, Interpublic’s flagship agency network, CEO Nick Brien has brought in a digital agency veteran to run McCann Erickson North America.

The agency confirmed Friday that Hank Summy has been hired as president of the shop’s North American operations. He starts next month. Separately, the agency promoted Patrick Lafferty to chief operating officer of its North American division.

Summy joins McCann from SapientNitro, where he was the New York-based managing director of the digital agency’s eastern region.

Commenting on Summy, Brien stated, “Hank has a deep understanding and experience with modern-day marketing, while possessing the spirit of an entrepreneurial leader necessary to accelerate the transformation of all our North American agencies.”

A 16-year veteran of the agency (and predecessor firm Sapient), Summy was previously president of the agency’s Canadian office and prior to that ran its Midwest region. He is credited with leading the integration effort when Sapient acquired Nitro two years ago.

In his new role, Summy will have responsibility for McCann’s regional agencies across the U.S. and Canada.

Summy replaces Robert LePlae, who left the agency in September after repeated clashes with Brien. One key difference in the newly defined position, however, is that Summy will have oversight of McCann’s New York office, where LePlae did not. The agency made a point of noting that job one for Summy will be to focus on New York and get it on track for maximizing future performance.

Before Brien took the helm of the group, McCann had acquired a reputation as old school, behind the times and ill-prepared for the digital era. Bringing in Summy and promoting Lafferty are just the two latest moves Brien has made at the group to get it back on track.

Late last year, former McCann Erickson COO Eric Kashen parted ways with the shop after a 30-year tenure.

Executive changes have also been made at other Worldgroup agencies, including McCann Healthcare, MRM Worldwide, among others. Brien has also made executive changes at some of McCann's overseas regions, including Europe, where he hired Gustavo Martinez to replace Brett Gosper earlier this year. Lafferty, the new COO, was previously managing director of global brands for McCann Worldgroup. Before that, he was chief marketing officer at Travel Channel Media.

Brien described Lafferty as “the perfect partner” for Summy, “having proven himself to be a highly effective leader across many of our most complex global accounts.”

SapientNirtro said that three managers were being promoted in the wake of Summy’s departure. Brad Simms has been promoted to senior vice president and managing director of North America West and Central, which includes the Canadian business, and Ron Shamah, who had been leading business development in New York, has been promoted to vice president and managing director of New York. Bob Van Beber has moved into a newly created role and assumes responsibility for all delivery and operations for marketing services work in North America.