Omnicom has sent out a clear signal of its intention to expand in
the global media market with the appointment of Procter & Gamble’s Daryl
Simm as global media chief operating officer.
Simm, 36, who was formerly the vice-president and general manager for
media and programming at P&G Worldwide, will also take on the role of
president of Optimum Media Direction, Omnicom’s European and Asian media
network.
Simm said: ’Leaving P&G is a tough decision, but I just can’t pass up
the opportunity to shape the future of the Omnicom media business.’ Simm
led the unbundling of P&G’s dollars 1.2 billion media services in the
US, consolidating it into Leo Burnett and Televest.
He has worked at P&G since 1985.
Bruce Crawford, chairman of the Omnicom Group, said: ’We see media as a
key part of our global growth strategy and, as we aggressively add to
our holdings, the opportunity to build value increases. Daryl provides
the leadership we need to realise the full potential of our
resources.’
John Wren, the chief executive of the Omnicom Group, said there were no
plans in the short term to rebrand OMD’s UK agencies, which are BMP
Optimum, New PHD and Manning Gottlieb Media.
Simm’s appointment follows similar moves at rival global networks,
including Young & Rubicam, which brought in the former 20/20 Media
managing director, Paul Woolmington, to work on a global media strategy
at the beginning of January.
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