Norman replaces McAnena to head Mediaedge:cia UK

by Jeremy Lee, Campaign 07-Mar-03

Rob Norman has taken up the reins at Mediaedge:cia UK as its chief executive, Fiona McAnena, moves to the newly created role of development director at WPP's Kantar division.

Norman becomes the chairman of Mediaedge:cia; James Whitmore remains as the managing director. Norman is currently Mediaedge:cia's worldwide director of new-business development and the worldwide chief executive of Outrider and will also retain these responsibilities.

The changes follow a dismal first year for Mediaedge:cia's UK agency.

Mainardo de Nardis, the global chief executive officer of Mediaedge: cia, acknowledged there had been problems in the UK, saying: "Fiona has done a good job at making the merger better than it might otherwise have been.

But while we've gone from success to success in many other markets, here we have a problem with how we are perceived. It's time to change that and Rob will have all the investment and power he needs to do that."

Norman said he wants the UK to become a benchmark for delivery on international accounts. Mandy Pooler, the chief executive of WPP's The Channel, is joining as a non-executive director. "She will be my Samaritan and counsellor," Norman said.

At Kantar, WPP's umbrella company for its research and consultancy divisions, McAnena will help develop a more cohesive relationship with key group clients.