Ikon has appointed turnaround specialist James Greet as its new CEO. Poaching the Mindshare CEO for Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea represents a coup for the firm following last month's boardroom clearout.
Dan Johns, national digital director Ellie Rogers, people and culture director Leonie Kerley and data analytics director Bevan Davies all parted company with the firm in March.
Greet successfully restructured Mindshare after steering OMD back towards growth in Australia. He said the opportunity was "too good to miss" and gave him the opportunity to focus fully on building an Australian business, although he did not rule out focusing further afield in time.
Chairman of STW Media and Ikon founder Simon White also suggested the local factor as opposed to a less defined geographic focus had helped swing Greet's decision.
Describing Greet as a "gear changer" for the company, White said "clients want something new, and we are going to give it to them".
"It's a challenge perfect for where James is in his career, and enables him to keep learning and growing while staying home, in Australia."
In a statement, White insisted Ikon was "in outstanding shape and delivering great value to clients".
"We have to keep evolving. As announced several weeks ago, changes were needed for Ikon to shift gear and accelerate towards a new and different, sharper industry leading capability, right for today and ahead for tomorrow. It shall be delivered by the balance of using the science of instant and long term intelligence and getting back to the art of pure focussed creativity and innovation. Our success is defined by the success of our clients. We build and reward customised teams to do whatever it takes to deliver on those goals."
Greet was that "gear changer" said White, and that deciding and executing its new strategy would be Greet's call.
What the former Ikon directors will do next remains unknown. Rumours of a breakaway agency are as yet unfounded.
Further reading:
STW denies rumours of ikon bohemia merger
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.
Have something to say? Send us your comments using the form below or contact the writer at brendancoyne@yaffa.com.au
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.