• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, October 30, 2013

Tor Myhren has been named worldwide chief creative officer of WPP ad shop Grey, succeeding Tim Mellors, a company veteran who is retiring from the agency. 

Myhren will continue as president and chief creative officer of Grey New York, responsible for the overall creative product. In addition, Myhren, creator of the “E*Trade Baby,” will participate in global new business and chair the Grey Global Creative Council, comprised of the agency's senior creative leaders. 

Myhren’s promotion comes just a few months after the elevation of Michael Houston to the position of North American CEO. Both Myhren and Houston continue to run Grey’s New York office jointly. 

The agency credits Myhren with helping the shop significantly enhance its creative output and over a period of time doubling the size of the New York office, which will record its sixth record year of financial performance in 2013. 

Grey Group Chairman James Heekin stated that Myhren has “helped shape a highly innovative, infectious and winning culture in our flagship New York agency. In his new role, he will have the opportunity to evolve this culture of innovation across our global footprint." 

Myhren joined Grey New York as chief creative officer in 2007. He was promoted to President in 2010, the first creative person to lead the agency's flagship office. 

Under Myhren’s leadership, Grey has produced a raft of popular award-winning advertising. In addition to E*Trade, the shop has produced ads for such clients as DirecTV, Canon, NFL, and Procter & Gamble's CoverGirl and Febreze. 

Under his watch, Grey's new business winning streak has included such blue-chip clients and brands as Gillette, Hasbro, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, AARP, Allergan, Pfizer's Advil, and Kellogg's Pringles, among others.