• by Larissa Faw , January 9, 2015

For the past four years, Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG), part of Publicis Groupe, has operated within a cluster model that has been organized by market dynamics. Now, the network is shifting its global management organizational structure into five regions: APAC, EMEA, LATAM, North America and North Asia.

This new business model reflects a shift in how its clients are operating, the agency said, and creates connected regional networks to drive growth in the new era of data-driven content and addressable marketing, say executives. Earlier this week, a sibling agency, Saatchi & Saatchi, said it was reorganizing but in the opposite direction, shifting from a regional to a market cluster model.

In the new structure, two new regional roles have been created: Mike Amour joins the company as President, APAC where he will be responsible for ensuring that the APAC region is aligned with SMG’s global vision and purpose. Amour will work across these emerging markets to drive global consistency, local relevance and also with a focus on new business. In addition, he will work to ensure adoption of SMG’s next-generation product, partnerships and new capabilities across the region. Amour will be based in Singapore and reports to John Sheehy, SMG’s president of global operations.

Amour’s direct reports include Hanley King, chairman, India, Jeffrey Seah, chairman, SEA, Chris Nolan, CEO, Australia and Alistair Jamison, CEO, New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Iain Jacob, currently president, dynamic markets, will become SMG’s president, EMEA to oversee operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As president, EMEA, his responsibilities include further accelerating digital transformation, integrating RUN, MRY and other SMG capabilities as well as driving growth across emerging markets in the region. Jacob is based in the UK and reports to Global CEO Laura Desmond.

Matt Blackborn, previously president, emerging markets, takes on the newly created role of president, global investment & Diversification. In his new position, Blackborn will strengthen SMG’s investment practice and will be partnering closely with both VivaKi Exchange and VivaKi leadership teams to drive new media investment models. Blackborn is based in London and will report to Sheehy.

Amour, Jacob and Blackborn will serve on SMG’s Global Executive Leadership Council.

“These changes and additions bolster the strength of SMG’s senior leadership team, who come from diverse backgrounds, bringing expertise in technology, content and global client management,” said Desmond. “Mike’s deep understanding and track record of success in APAC and Iain’s digital expertise and leadership across several key markets are examples of these strengths.”

Continuing in their roles are Monica Gadsby, CEO of LATAM and SMG’s U.S. Multicultural operations; Bertilla Teo, CEO of SMG in North Asia, which includes China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea; and SMG North American CEO’s Brian Terkelsen (MediaVest USA), Lisa Donohue (Starcom USA) and Chris Boothe (Spark).