BBH London CEO Ben Fennell is leaving the agency after 25 years (he joined as a graduate) to set up his own business which sounds like an consultancy cum agency. Maybe a ‘cagency?’
Meanwhile Accenture Interactive founder and MD Christine Removille (Accenture is the new model ‘cagency’) is going the other way, becoming global president of Dentsu Aegis media network Carat. Removille (below) has worked for Carat before. She replaces current president Will Swayne who’s moving to a client role.
Under Fenell BBH London has subsided a degree or two from its former glory but that was probably inevitable following the complex 2012 deal whereby Publicis Groupe, previously a 49 per cent shareholder, bought the whole agency. A number of senior managers subsequently left, followed by founder Sir John Hegarty who’s now at The Garage London.
Neil Munn, a one-time Unilever exec took over as global CEO and he’s now taking over from Fennell in London.
The momentum in adland is currently is with the consultants so it’s interesting thqt Removille is returning to a media agency. Working out quite who does what in the upper echelons of Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN) is beyond most of us but her new job is, presumably, pretty important.
Removille says: “I am thrilled to become part of Dentsu Aegis Network to lead the next wave of transformation with Carat. My decision to join Dentsu Aegis Network was driven by their unique people-based data platform, the integrated operating model and completeness of marketing services. It is an exciting time and consulting talents combining business acumen, analytics and technology will add value in the agency landscape.” Which sounds quite like a cagency too.
BBH seems to be on an upswing with excellent work for Audi and Tesco bedded down, so that’s a credit to Fennell.
DAN boss Jerry Buhlmann seems quite at home in today’s data-driven world, with big acquisition Merkle playing a bigger role in DAN doings. Removille may give DAN a bit more clout at the client’s top table.