With immediate effect, each agency within the group – which includes FP7, Lowe, Weber Shandwick, UM, Innovations and Promoseven 360/MRM/Healthcare – will be headed up by a regional CEO. It is understood that the changes are part of wider organisational improvements set to be implemented by MCN.
The move follows an eight-month analysis of the holding group’s performance – spearheaded by Ricarda Ruecker, vice-president of leadership and organisation development – and a regional visit by McCann Worldgroup’s new CEO, Nick Brien, in June. McCann Worldgroup, which is part of Interpublic (IPG), is present in the region via agency brands UM, ad shop McCann Erickson (through an affiliation with FP7), and PR outfit Weber Shandwick, all of which are part of MCN regionally. IPG has had a majority stake of 51 per cent in MCN since 2008.
The key management changes include the promotion of Tarek Miknas (pictured), formerly growth officer at Lowe MENA, to CEO of the FP7 Group, and the appointment of Mohamad Haidar as chief operating officer of MCN. In his new role, Miknas will work closely with all FP7 offices in the region. Haidar, who was previously chief financial officer, will oversee MCN’s media agencies, as well the commercial aspects of all the group’s operations.
Rajeev Buddhiraja has been made CEO of Promoseven 360 with an oversight of MRM and McCann Healthcare; Weber Shandwick’s managing director, Ziad Hasbani, becomes CEO of Weber Shandwick MENA; Mounir Harfouche is now CEO of Lowe MENA; and Tom Roychoudhury has been made CEO of Innovations. Peter Davies, COO of the FP7 Group, will consult and advise Miknas.
“During the past eight months we have analysed our performance in depth – as to where we stand and how we are perceived,” said Fadi Salameh, president and CEO of MCN. “We’ve critically reviewed how we are performing and we conduct business day-to-day. We have used tools like climate surveys, done talent reviews across all levels in the entire region, conducted management reviews and in-depth individual management assessments. The results of these reviews and assessments are now being rolled out.”
There will be closer alignment with MCN’s global partners, with Luca Lindner, president of McCann Worldgroup Latin America, Africa and Middle East, becoming a board member of MCN.
“It’s time for the next generation to be empowered to make the leap into the future for MCN,” said Salameh. “I believe we need to focus on the product, incorporate digital across the board and capitalise on new opportunities that will fast forward the entire group into a best-practice advertising and marketing communications solutions powerhouse.”