Eric Hanna has replaced Philippe Skaff as CEO of Grey Group MENA.
Effective mid-November, Hanna, who was previously CEO of Mediacom MENA, will be headquartered in Dubai with responsibility for a client roster that includes P&G and GSK. It is not known why or for what reasons Skaff is departing Grey, with the company stating only that “he has decided to leave the company”. Skaff had owned 20 per cent of the MENA operation, although Grey declined to comment on whether that was still the case.
David Patton, president and CEO of Grey Group EMEA, said: “I want to thank Philippe Skaff for his leadership over the past 20 years in helping Grey establish a strong agency network across the Middle East and I’m delighted that Eric Hanna is now taking over Philippe’s responsibilities. Eric has deep roots in this vital region and brings a tremendous track record of accomplishment to his new role.”
The move represents a return to old hunting grounds for Hanna, having previously spent a decade at the agency serving in a number of key Middle East management roles, including chief operating officer and managing director of the Dubai office.
“Leading Grey is a challenge, one I am really excited to take on,” said Hanna. “I look forward to reintegrating a team that consistently delivered differentiating solutions that helped build clients’ brands in the region and as a result, business.”
Patton added: “As he [Hanna] begins a new chapter at Grey, I am confident he will take our operations to the next level in their growth and development.”
Grey MENA is part of the Grey Group, which is owned by WPP.