Wunderman’s UK executive creative director, Abi Ellis, has been suspended, pending an investigation.
Ian Haworth, the agency’s chief creative officer, has taken over Ellis' role temporarily while the claims are investigated, ±±¾©Èü³µpk10 understands.
Ellis joined Wunderman from Cult in December last year, following Haworth’s promotion, and had previously worked at DigitasLBi (now Digitas). She was hired as part of a new top team in the UK last year, led by chief executive Pip Hulbert.
A Wunderman spokeswoman said the agency had no comment. WPP referred enquiries to the agency.
Her suspension comes as Wunderman is currently working through its merger with J Walter Thompson.
Wunderman Thompson, the merged shop, will have a single P&L from 1 January. Wunderman's global chief executive, Mel Edwards, will become global chief executive, while JWT global chief executive Tamara Ingram is becoming chairman.
Last week, Edwards told ±±¾©Èü³µpk10 that Wunderman Thompson's UK leadership would be chosen from within the business. The merged agency would number 780 staff in the UK.
Yesterday, ±±¾©Èü³µpk10 revealed that VMLY&R Europe chief executive Jon Sharpe had resigned from the agency amid a separate disciplinary investigation following complaints from employees. The merger of VML and Y&R was the first major structural move taken by WPP chief executive Mark Read after being appointed in September.
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