• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, May 14, 2013

Publicis Groupe’s Bartle Bogle Hegarty has appointed Patrick Lafferty to the role of North American CEO, after a long search. He effectively replaces Greg Andersen, who left last September (as CEO of BBH’s New York office) after a management reshuffling. Lafferty is scheduled to start the new job this summer.

Lafferty will oversee BBH offices in New York and Los Angeles. Earlier this year, The New York office won the Sony PlayStation account; it also handles Unilever’s Axe brand. The LA office counts Red Bull among its clients.  

Lafferty’s appointment follows a substantial downsizing of the New York office seven months ago. Last year, the office lost two important accounts, including Cadillac and Sprite. Approximately 25% of the office’s 120 staffers were reportedly let go.

Most recently, Lafferty was COO at McCann Erickson North America, a post he assumed in October 2011.

Lafferty will report to BBH Group CEO Gwyn Jones, who cited Lafferty’s varied experience, including stints at a media owner, other agencies and as a CMO.

Lafferty joined McCann in September 2010 as a managing director. Prior to that, he was CMO at the Travel Channel for nearly three-and-a-half years. Earlier, he held posts at Discovery Communications and Leo Burnett.

Before beginning his professional career, Lafferty was a Bronze Star-winning officer in the U.S. Army from 1988 to 1995.

No word yet on how McCann will handle Lafferty’s departure. It’s possible that his duties will be taken on by executives already in place, sources said.

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