• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, October 8, 2013

VML  has appointed Jeff Geheb chief technology officer, the agency has confirmed.  The appointment reunites Geheb with the shop--he was previously VML’s CTO until departing last year for marketing technology firm Saepio Technologies., where he was also CTO.

Geheb will report to Jon Cook, CEO at VML. Cook said the returning CTO’s focus would be “major client business and growth initiatives outside the core technology practice.” He’s tasked with helping to build “VML’s technology and innovation capabilities globally,” Cook added.

Geheb will also help clients build and implement marketing technology platforms. Key initiatives include enhancing the agency’s capabilities related to data intelligence, the digital shopper, omni-channel brand experiences, online/offline commerce, and real-time consumer engagement, per VML.

Geheb will also oversee a new unit, VML Labs, that will explore ideas related to such areas as wearable computing, 3=D printing, and SoMoLo projects.

Co-executive directors, Mark McClendon and Kris Hiestand have been leading VML’s technology departments since Geheb’s departure in 2012. They will continue their day-to-day management focus, reporting to Geheb. 

A Boston native, Geheb began his VML career in 1999 as an intern in the technology department. He officially joined the agency in 2003 and worked his way up the ranks to become chief technology officer in 2011. 

Based in Kansas City, VML is part of WPP’s Y&R group. Clients include Coors and Coors Light, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, English Premier League, Gatorade, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Kellogg’s, Microsoft, SAP, Southwest Airlines, U.S. Bank, Wendy’s and Xerox.