• by Larissa Faw , February 8, 2017

Dentsu Aegis Network is promoting Carat U.S. CEO Doug Ray to the newly created position of President, Product and Innovation. Ray will be succeeded in the Carat role by Michael Epstein.

In his new position Ray’s remit is to work with clients to "manage the complexity and deliver truly leading-edge, integrated solutions,” according to the holding company.

Ray will be responsible for Dentsu Aegis's product lineup, helping clients to access the various capabilities across the network they need to develop integrated, tailored solutions. He will also focus on developing data and data-led products, including working closely with the recently acquired performance marketing agency Merkle.

Epstein joined the agency in 2013 most recently serving as Carat’s president and chief client officer.

Under Ray’s and Epstein’s leadership, in the last six years, Carat says it has more than doubled agency revenue, winning clients including Danone, Diageo, GM, Macy's, Mondelez, P&G, The JM Smucker Company, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, and Darden's LongHorn.

Dentsu Aegis ended 2016 with a record number of U.S.-headquartered acquisitions, including Accordant, C2C Outdoor, Cardinal Path, Gravity, Merkle, and gyro. In October, Dentsu Aegis named Patrick Venetucci as its first president, operations and integration, responsible for leading operations and driving continued growth across Dentsu Aegis US.