Robertson, who moved to New York from AMV less than two years ago, steps up from his position as the president and chief executive of BBDO North America.
The news clearly marks Robertson out as the successor to Allen Rosenshine, the 63-year-old chairman and chief executive of BBDO Worldwide, and has prompted speculation that the promotion is a prelude to announcing Rosenshine's retirement. However, Rosenshine said: "I have no date in mind for giving up my CEO responsibilities."
Sources suggest Rosenshine will bow out in two years' time, once the mantle has been smoothly passed to Robertson.
In his new role, Robertson will share worldwide management duties with Rosenshine. He will initially oversee the BBDO Latin America region, and will also supervise BBDO's involvement in Omnicom's OMD media network in the Americas.
Robertson started his advertising career at Ogilvy & Mather, later moving to J. Walter Thompson. In 1990, he was appointed the chief executive of WCRS. He had been at AMV for five years.
In a separate move, BBDO Worldwide also announced the election of Klaus Wendler, the chief financial officer of BBDO Europe, to the board of directors of BBDO Worldwide.
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