Research Vet Schwartz Succeeds Scanzoni As GroupM Investment Chief, Will Oversee $30 Billion

by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, November 14, 2016

In what it described as a simplification of its management structure in the U.S. and Canada, GroupM promoted long-time research chief Lyle Schwartz to president of investment. GroupM characterized the move as part of a transition of long-time Chief Investment Officer Rino Scanzoni to executive chairman and CEO of WPP corporate trade unit Midas Exchange and programmatic and advanced TV unit Modi Media.

As part of the reorganization, GroupM named Phil Cowdell president of Platform Services, a new organization that encompasses all of GroupM’s data-centric services, including programmatic media, search marketing, social media, digital operations and digital analytics.

Schwartz and Cowdell report to Brian Lesser, CEO of GroupM North America.

“This is the first time someone with a research and analytics background has been named trading chief for a major media investment group,” Lesser said in a statement announcing the reorganization. “This decision underscores our belief that data and insights are fundamental to the success of the entire business.”

In his new role, Schwartz will be responsible for more than $30 billion in annual media spending. A 30-year vet of WPP and its predecessor agencies, Schwartz began his career with an early position as in the media department of Young & Rubicam, and has been a key player in helping to structure important industry metrics and currencies, especially his push to create an industry compromise between TV buyers and sellers over C3 ratings.

For the past two years, Cowdell served as the North American CEO of GroupM’s MediaCom unit.

9 comments about "Research Vet Schwartz Succeeds Scanzoni As GroupM Investment Chief, Will Oversee $30 Billion".

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Ed Papazian from Media Dynamics, November 14, 2016 at 10:46 a.m.
An excellent choice by GroupM. Congrats Lyle.
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Charlene Weisler from Writer, Media Consultant: WeislerMedia.blogspot.com, November 14, 2016 at 11:06 a.m.

Well deserved! Congratulations to Lyle!

Jack Wakshlag from Media Strategy, Research & Analytics, November 14, 2016 at 11:53 a.m.

Rino always surrounded himself with impressive talent. Lyle is hyper focused on delivering client value and doesn't take no for an answer. Well deserved.

Steve Sternberg from The Sternberg Report, November 14, 2016 at 2:03 p.m.

Hey Lyle - Very impressed. Well deserved. Happy for you.

Carole Walker from Integrity Marketing & Media LLC, November 14, 2016 at 6 p.m.

Such great news!! Congrats Lyle. Bruce would be so proud!

michele buslik from msb, November 15, 2016 at 8:37 a.m.

Great!! Michele

Bill Harvey from Bill Harvey Consulting, November 15, 2016 at 9:56 a.m.

Lyle has been a leader in media research for many decades, and will carry on great work for GroupM in his new position. I was privileged to work alongside Lyle in the late 90s as we met with top cable executives on behalf of the Addressable Advertising Coalition and built the underpinnings for today's addressable TV. Congratulations to the industry, to GroupM, to WPP, and to Lyle! All my best, Bill

Kym Frank from Geopath, November 18, 2016 at 7:55 a.m.

Congratulations Lyle, GroupM and WPP! Wishing you the best!

Bill Abbott from Hallmark Channels, November 24, 2016 at 3:54 p.m.

No people smarter than Research people...or Lyle! Well-deserved & congrats, Lyle!