Y&R has named São Paulo-born Jaime Mandelbaum as CCO for Europe, overseeing the WPP-owned network’s continental European operations. Mandelbaum, who has also worked at Leo Burnett Prague, Jung von Matt Hamburg, Kaspen Jung von Matt, and TBWA\Berlin, has been CCO of Y&R Central and Eastern Europe since 2013.
Mandelbaum (left) says: “I’m really excited to take on this new role. There is both great work being done across the region and still a lot of untapped potential. It will be my responsibility and delight to help great ideas come to life in the most powerful and appropriate way. I am looking forward to working with the enormous talent we have across the region. We are all in this together.”
Indeed they are. Y&R has failed to sparkle in recent years, certainly in comparison to rival WPP networks Grey and Ogilvy. Mandelbaum, though, is highly regarded and, crucially, experienced in Europe. Transplanting South American creative bosses to Europe hasn’t worked so well for other agencies, notably BBH and TBWA.
Y&R Europe CEO Andrew Dimitriou says: “I am so pleased to have Jaime take on this larger role in Europe. He is a real creative force and his enthusiasm and passion are infectious. In a short time he has not only elevated the creative output of Central and Eastern Europe, he has helped the offices work together more collaboratively. I look forward to working alongside him as we continue to build on the many strengths of the region.”
For Y&R to get up to speed in Europe it needs the UK to start performing too. The London agency now has a new CEO in Jon Sharpe who is also looking for a new executive creative director.