Ogilvy & Mather makes key exec appointments for O&M Asia-Pacific
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OGILVY & MATHER says it has made several key executive appointments to support the next phase of leadership and creative excellence in O&M Asia-Pacific.
Paul Heath, chairman and chief executive of O&M Asia-Pacific, the region’s largest advertising and communications network with 39 offices covering 19 markets, takes up a new role as worldwide executive director and chief growth officer reporting to worldwide CEO John Seifert.
Heath will continue as chairman for Asia-Pacific and will join the board of newly formed WPP AUNZ,- the result of the recent merger between WPP and STW, covering Australia and New Zealand.
Chris Reitermann, CEO of Ogilvy China, and Kent Wertime, chief operating officer of Asia-Pacific, have been appointed co-CEOs of the region.
Reitermann and Wertime have been working closely with Heath as part of his leadership team for the past six years.
As co-CEOs, they will have the joint mission of driving Ogilvy’s next phase of leadership, growth and creative excellence in Asia. The two represent important continuity in the Asia-Pacific leadership team and will each assume responsibility for specified markets, the firm says.
Reitermann will remain based in China and continue as China CEO, while Wertime will remain based in Bangkok and be responsible for Asean and India. Jerry Smith, president of OgilvyOne Asia-Pacific, will take over Wertime’s role as COO of Asia-Pacific and be based in Hong Kong.
Smith has also been a long-standing member of the Asia management team and brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
He will continue to play a key role overseeing OgilvyOne and Neo@Ogilvy and will focus on key areas including the expansion of Ogilvy’s global delivery network capabilities.
He will drive strategic acquisitions for the region in high-growth services. Heath said the new leadership team in Asia would come as no surprise to insiders.
