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Ogilvy springs a surprise with new global CCO Piyush Pandey

It’s all change at WPP’s Ogilvy this year and now the WPP network has made another bold move by appointing Ogilvy India chairman Piyush Pandey (below) as its new global CCO. Pandey succeeds Tham Khai Meng who left under a cloud in the summer.

Ogilvy global CEO John Seifert says: “I wanted someone who would be a real partner to me and who would be true to the creative spirit of our founder David Ogilvy. But it was very clear that Piyush was the right candidate for the role.

“Piyush is deeply rooted in society and culture and the humanness of our world. He’s also someone who doesn’t look backwards, only forwards and who is enthusiastic, excited and humble. He’s someone everyone can be inspired by.”

Nobody could dispute Pandey’s creative and managerial qualifications but it’s still a bold move for a US-based network to pick someone as global CCO operating out of Mumbai. Ogilvy LA CCO Joe Sciarrotta will be his deputy. Ogilvy also plans to unveil a new 20-strong creative council in January of which at least half will be female.

In the US Seifert has instituted a root and branch revamp of Ogilvy into one brand instead of the mini holding company it had become. New UK boss Michael Frohlich has made similar moves in the UK, retiring Ogilvy & Mather advertising and OgilvyOne direct marketing and, in the process, losing a string of senior execs. The agency has just completed a voluntary redundancy scheme which has seen about 50 departures from a total of 1,000 plus staff.

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