• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, June 18, 2015

Ogilvy & Mather Global CEO Miles Young will retire in the second half of 2016 from his role at the agency after 32 years. He will become the Warden (aka chief academic administrator) of New College at Oxford University. He plans to begin that role in September of 2016.

Young, 61, has been global CEO of Ogilvy & Mather since 2009. Prior to that, he ran the agency's Asia-Pacific business. In addition, he added the role of chairman in 2012. 

Of the move, Young said,:"This was a difficult decision, but the attraction of moving to a senior academic position in the UK was very great. Ogilvy & Mather and WPP have been part of my life for 32 years, and the intention is not to part company, but to be available to advise and consult, which I look forward to doing. My succession will be announced in due course. In the meantime it is business as usual."

Hmm. Managing a bunch of highly educated professionals who have dedicated their lives to educating the young and advancing culture or managing a bunch of free-spirited, slightly self-important professionals who think winning a Cannes Lions is actually important in the grand scheme of things. Yeah, I get his decision.