MEC has promoted current CEO Peter Vogel to the top APAC job, while James Hier will step up and become CEO of the Australian business.
Hier, currently head of strategy at MEC will transition to the role in the next few months. It is the latest round of senior management changes at GroupM Australia. Currently MediaCom is without a CEO following Mark Pejic's departure to IPG Mediabrands Melbourne. It is also without a group CEO following John Steedman's exit.
Vogel, whose name had been mentioned in speculation surrounding the group CEO role at GroupM, said that agency side is where he's most comfortable.
He told AdNews this morning: “I've been with MEC for 15 years – and I love MEC. I really enjoy the network. It’s a logicial next step. I enjoy the agency side of our business, now I can play a bigger role for MEC –and I'm on the global management board now, so can drive the agenda for APAC at a global level.”
“A group role versus and agency role is quite different. I've been in agency all my career, I enjoy agency, building businesses and products.”
He wasn't able to shed any light on the other vacant spots at GroupM.
Charles Courtier, MEC global CEO, said: “Peter is one of our industry’s most seasoned business leaders and the natural choice to take on this crucial role. He has done an amazing job for us as CEO of Australia over the past five and half years doubling, the size of the agency and infusing it with a thriving culture. In his new role he’s intent on developing MEC’s framework in Asia Pacific to drive real change and growth in the region. I’m confident that he’s a leader with the right blend of strategic vision and business acumen to get us there.”
Vogel said: “I am honoured to be taking on this new role. APAC is the growth engine of the global economy and provides the biggest growth opportunity for our international organisation. This is not only an exciting opportunity, it’s also a big responsibility for all of us in the region; if APAC grows, MEC grows. I’m relishing the challenge to create long-term sustainable growth for MEC. We have the talent, the passion and track record to succeed.”
Vogel has been CEO of MEC for five years and in that time the agency has taken on a raft of significant new business accounts including Nestlé, Netflix, Domino’s Pizza and Allianz. He will relocate to Hong Kong in the next few months. He replaces Stephen Li in Asia Pacific CEO.
He described Hier as one of the most passionate people in the market and said: “With James at the helm, I’m confident that MEC will continue to thrive, grow and innovate, delivering on our ambition to be our clients’ most valued business partner.”
Hier said: “I am thrilled to take on this role and thank Peter for his confidence and guidance. It’s an exciting time for MEC in Australia and New Zealand. We have excellent talent and a focused business strategy in the areas of data management, content development and tech innovation. Our capabilities to develop personalised customer engagement on mass will help our clients grow their brands and businesses.”
Hier currently hosts the AANA “Marketing Dividends” TV series on Sky Business, and will continue to do so.
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