Stacy DeRiso has been appointed brand president of IPG Mediabrands agency Initiative, a role in which she will lead the agency globally. 

The appointment follows the decision of Dimitri Maex, global CEO of Initiative and global president, Mediabrands to exit the company later this year. 

Maex is headed to Accenture Song where he will lead the unit’s marketing operations. Song also recently announced that David Droga is stepping down from the CEO perch to be succeeded by Ndidi Oteh, a transition that officially takes effect Sept. 1. 

DeRiso has served as US CEO at Initiative since 2021 and is credited with helping to shape the agency’s strategy framework which it calls “Fame & Flow.” 

“We are confident that [DeRiso’s] leadership and strategic vision, combined with her deep understanding of Initiative's brand and culture, will ensure continued success for our clients, our people and the agency,” stated Eileen Kiernan, global CEO of IPG Mediabrands. 

Maex was appointed Global CEO of Initiative in 2022 and added duties as Mediabrands president last fall.  

At Accenture he will serve as global marketing practice lead at Accenture Song, based in New York and reporting to Song's global practices lead Sean Lyons. 

His remit includes responsibility for leading Accenture Song’s brand, content, engagement and activation and media offerings, which includes Droga5 globally.