• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, September 30, 2022

Long-time Omnicom Group executive Peter Sherman has decided to leave the holding company for a full-time undergraduate professorship at a university where he’ll teach marketing and communications. He’s leaving at the end of the year. 

Sherman is joining the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media to lead a new certificate program in health communication and marketing, launching in the Spring semester. 

Sherman joined Omnicom Group as executive vice president in 2014, charged with driving integration, innovation and growth across the company’s largest global clients. Since then, he has worked across all of Omnicom’s networks to ensure “client-centric” solutions and new business success. 

As part of his remit, he has been one of the primary architects of Omnicom’s portfolio of integrated service models. He also has led Omnicom’s Global Client Leaders (GCLs) Group, growing it from 10 to 30 leaders, two-thirds of whom are women. His work in these areas helped Omnicom achieve “Leader” status in Forrester’s marketing services “Wave” report in the third quarter.    

“My time at Omnicom has been defined by incredible teams, individuals and a culture that made it the best place I could have ever hoped to spend 25 years,” stated Sherman. “I will leave the company on a high note at the end of this year and am very much looking forward to sharing my experience with the next generation as an educator.” 

As part of Sherman’s planned transition, Omnicom will be identifying a new structure and set of leaders who will expand on the foundation he helped build. 

“With steadfast leadership, Peter has defined best practices for new business pitches and integrated client models that have allowed Omnicom to gain and retain wins with some of the world’s top brands,” said John Wren, Chairman and CEO of Omnicom. “His unwavering dedication to the company has been felt well after his decision to transition to academia as he played an instrumental role in identifying the new team that will succeed him. We thank him for his countless contributions over the years and wish him all the best as he pursues his passion for higher education.” 

Prior to his corporate role, Sherman spent 17 years at Omnicom’s BBDO, most recently as EVP, Managing Director of BBDO Europe, where he led 35 offices across 18 countries from headquarters in Milan and Paris. Earlier he held leadership positions at BBDO’s San Francisco and New York offices.