The Wall Street Journal reports today that Heekin is close to signing with Grey, which has been part of WPP since March this year. Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WPP, is reported to have been having talks with Heekin for the past few months.
Talks are understood to have broken down at one stage but were restarted, prompting a delay in any announcement by WPP. One had been expected when Havas announced Heekin was leaving on August 1, but nothing came.
If he takes the role, Heekin will be taking over the role from 78-year-old advertising legend Ed Meyer, who has been leading Grey since 1970. He is due to stand down in 2006.
Heekin held the top job at Havas-owned Euro RSCG for around 18 months since joining the agency in 2003 after he was ousted as chairman and CEO Of McCann Erickson Worldwide, following the long-running financial scandal that saw Interpublic Group restate $181.3m (拢109.5m) in earnings.
Heekin began his advertising career in 1975 in the research department of the then J Walter Thompson. He left the agency in 1978 to join General Foods in brand management and, in 1980, he joined Bozell Worldwide as executive vice-president on the Chrysler account.
He returned to JWT in 1985 to work on Miller and Burger King and, in 1988, he was appointed general manager of JWT New York.
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