Chris Jones, J. Walter Thompson’s co-president, is to become only the
second Briton to run a worldwide agency network when he takes over as
chief executive officer of JWT, succeeding Burt Manning, in January.
The change is mirrored at JWT’s sister WPP agency, Ogilvy and Mather,
where the high-profile Charlotte Beers will, as expected, be succeeded
as chief executive officer by Shelly Lazarus, currently the president
and chief operating officer. Lazarus will take up the reins next month.
The 41-year-old Jones has been groomed for the JWT job since leaving
London - where he was chief executive - in 1993. He has worked closely
with Manning, who will remain chairman.
Beers has been O&M’s chairwoman and chief executive since 1992. She and
Lazarus are credited with turning around the network’s fortunes. Beers
is currently in discussions with the WPP chief executive, Martin
Sorrell, over a future role in the holding company.
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