From a cluster format of leadership structure, that reported to John Sheehy, President – Global Operations, Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG), has moved its regional structure back to the conventional APAC, EMEA, LATAM, North America and North Asia regions. As part of these changes, Iain Jacob, who at present is President of Dynamic Markets, will take on the newly created post of President, EMEA.
For the past four years, SMG’s structure was more focussed on aligning markets by it growth characteristics, dynamics and the kind of focus that the market was receiving. SMG officials claim that the prior format helped accelerate growth, and that the new structure reflects the way marketers are operating. SMG named Mike Amour to head APAC as its President. Monica Gadsby continues to be the CEO of LATAM and there are no changes also in SMG’s North American CEOs — Brian Terkelsen of MediaVest USA and Lisa Donohue of Starcom USA.
This reorganisation comes in the wake of a series of acquisitions and partnerships aimed at strengthening the network’s capabilities in data-driven content, precision marketing and technology. Recent acquisitions include content agency Relevant24 (R24) and adtech company RUN. MRY, a social-media and youth-marketing agency within Publicis Groupe, also recently moved under the SMG umbrella.
In his previous role as President of Dynamic Markets for SMG, Mr Jacob was on the Global SMG Board. He was overseeing Europe, Africa, Canada and Australia. As well as running these markets He was also overseeing acquisitions for SMG in the region.
He joined SMG in 2000 when he and his fellow Directors sold their media company, Motive Communications, to Leo Burnett and Mr Jacob was asked to run SMG UK. He went on to lead SMG EMEA and also held the Role of President of Global Innovation charged with developing digital and content practices for SMG.
“Our industry landscape around the world is shifting so seismically—and with such velocity—that to be a true agency of tomorrow, we must strategically integrate best talents and solutions wherever they exist. As our clients’ businesses are changing, we’re pivoting our organisational structure with them to accelerate the next wave of growth in addressable media and data-driven content all over the world,” said Laura Desmond, SMG’s Global CEO, in a press statement.
