• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, March 6, 2013

Interpublic Group ad agency Campbell Ewald is moving its headquarters back to Detroit from the nearby suburb of Warren where it relocated 35 years ago.

The move is scheduled to take place early next year. Agency CEO Bill Ludwig made the announcement today at a press conference with city Mayor David Bing.  

The 102 year-old agency, which spent its first 65 years in the city, is currently renovating a 122,000 square-foot former auto storage facility to house the 600-plus employees that will work at the new company digs. Architect and design duties are being handled by Neumann Smith of Southfield, MI.

“Detroit is a hotbed of aspiring creative and entrepreneurial talent and we want to be part of that energy, and participate in the city’s comeback,” Ludwig stated.

The city can use the support. Last week Governor Rick Snyder said the state would take over the Detroit city government in order to manage its teetering finances. The city has until March 11 to appeal that decision.

Up until 2010 the agency was closely linked to Chevrolet. But since losing the car account that year, it has diversified its client base. New assignments in the past two years have come from PIMCO, Consumers Energy, the University of Michigan and Zipcar, among others.