Allan takes top job at MediaCom Worldwide

by Anne Cassidy, Campaign 17-Apr-08, 07:00

LONDON - Steve Allan, the UK chief executive of WPP's Group M, is to replace Alexander Schmidt-Vogel as the chairman and chief executive of MediaCom Worldwide.

It is understood that Nick Theakstone, Group M UK's chief operating officer, will replace Allan as head of Group M. Schmidt-Vogel is believed to be moving to a trading position within the unit.

Before Group M, Allan was the UK chief executive of MediaCom for five years. When WPP moved MediaCom into its Group M buying unit in 2005, Allan was appointed chief executive of the group.

Shortly after his appointment, Allan created a new management structure at Group M, appointing Theakstone to the position of chief operating officer responsible for non-trading areas.

Theakstone was formerly an investment director at MindShare.

Schmidt-Vogel has been MediaCom Worldwide's chief executive since 2002. Before that, he was the chairman and chief executive of MediaCom Europe.