• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, April 3, 2012

WPP's GroupM unit just unveiled GroupM Next, which it describes as an "innovation unit to support the ongoing efforts of its four agencies; Maxus, MEC, MediaCom and Mindshare."

More elaborately, the announcement states, "GroupM Next will focus on providing insights, in context, on the developments at both our core partners and emerging players in online, mobile, social and addressable."

The unit was announced by GroupM North America CEO Rob Norman, but it will be headed by Chris Copeland, CEO of GroupM Search, who has been named CEO of GroupM Next.

Cary Tilds, currently North America Leader of Digital Media Operations at GroupM's Mindshare, has been named Chief Innovation Officer.