OMD names new regional head

OMD has appointed Mediabrands’ Steve Blakeman as Asia-Pacific CEO.

Blakeman joins OMD from Interpublic Group’s Mediabrands, where he most recently worked as global Chief Integration Strategy Officer.

Blakeman will lead OMD operations, drive existing client satisfaction as well as drive growth and enhance OMD’s value-proposition across the region.

The OMD regional CEO position has been vacant since the departure of Maggie Choi in November 2010, with Omnicom Media Group (OMG) Asia-Pacific CEO Barry Cupples adding the OMD role to his OMG responsibilities in the interim.

Commenting on the appointment, Barry Cupples, CEO at Omnicom Media Group, Asia-Pacific, said: “OMD is a powerful brand that thrives in a culture of creativity and collaboration and a leader like Steve will ensure that the OMD proposition stays at the forefront and helps the industry reach the next phase of development. I know he is excited about that as he sees the future in much the way we do at OMG.”

“Steve is a great guy, personable, results-oriented, dynamic marketing professional and his global and pan-regional experience will be an asset to for all of our clients, his team and colleagues.  I welcome Steve to the OMD family and I am confident that he will rise to the challenge successfully and drive OMD’s continued growth and ambition in the region,” added Cupples.

Prior to IPG, he worked as managing partner at Omnicom Media Group-owned agency PHD where he successfully launched their second office in the UK. He began his career at JWT and has over two decades of experience in advertising, media and marketing communications.

OMD remains top global media network: RECMA

Omnicom Media Group’s OMD has maintained its hold on the number one spot as the top global media network for the second year running, according to the Research Company Evaluating the Media Agency Industry’s (RECMA) Network Diagnostics Consolidated Evaluation.