Birtles promoted in Interpublic moves

by Andrew McCormick, Media Week 18-Mar-08, 09:35

LONDON - Gary Birtles has been promoted from managing director to replace Jerry Hill as chief executive of media agency Initiative's UK and Ireland operations - one of a series of changes at Interpublic Group.

Birtles has been replaced as managing director by Danny Donovan, who has been promoted from deputy managing director.

The changes follow the move by Jerry Hill, formerly chief executive of Initiative UK and Ireland and joint European chief executive, to an international role based in London. Hill has become global strategic development director, reporting to Initiative's chairman and chief executive Richard Beavan.

Speculation has been mounting that Interpublic agencies Initiative and Universal McCann are set to merge, after Initiative lost around 25% of its billings in 2007, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Since then, Interpublic has decided to move Initiative and Universal McCann into the same London office and has appointed an inaugural joint chief financial officer, Colin McReavy, to work across both agencies.

Graham Duff, president EMEA, Universal McCann and president of IPG Media Brands EMEA, denied that the agencies are to merge.

Duff said: "The heroes of our operation have to be the Universal McCann and Initiative brands, anything we do will have to be the best for them. I can categorically say that the two agencies will not be merging: this month, next year or at any other time."