• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, December 13, 2018

WPP has appointed Publicis Groupe veteran Laurent Ezekiel to be chief marketing and growth officer, a new role at the holding company.

Most recently, Ezekiel was a co-president at Digitas North America, a role he shared with Jodi Robinson. Digitas confirmed today that Robinson will serve as sole president going forward.

In a memo to staff WPP CEO Mark Read noted that Ezekiel would report directly to him and will split his time between New York and London. “His priority will be to support WPP’s growth strategy, working alongside Chief Client Officer Lindsay Pattison,” Read wrote.

Read added that the appointment was “an important new role for WPP as we continue to reshape our company around the needs of our clients.”

Ezekiel spent 16 years at Digitas. Earlier, he spent time at Grey London and Saatchi & Saatchi.

At Digitas, Robinson will now oversee data and analysis, media, strategy and technology operations. Heads of the New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Atlanta and Detroit offices all report to her.

She will continue to report to global brand president Michael Kahn.