Maxus names PHD's Weedon as new chief executive

by Arif Durrani, mediaweek.co.uk 10-Jul-09, 16:30

LONDON - Lindsay Weedon, managing partner at PHD, is set to become the first UK chief executive of WPP agency Maxus in October.

Weedon has been an instrumental player at PHD for six years, having joined with client experience from Ericsson.

Weedon will lead WPP's newest UK agency as it hunts for new business and looks to establish itself as a major operator.

She will be responsible for 30 agency staff, including joint managing directors James Jennings and Tim Irwin.

Maxus was formed in the UK following the rebranding of BJK&E at the start of the year. It was the first new market to join the network since Kelly Clark became worldwide chief executive of Maxus last October.

At its launch, Clark said: "To achieve our growth plans, it's absolutely essential for us to establish a strong beachhead in the UK.

"The UK is a crucially important market, and BJK&E can help us deliver our vision there."

Since taking on the Maxus name, the UK agency has been involved in pitching for new business and almost snatched the account for cosmetic giant Coty from under the nose of incumbent OMD in March.

Weedon was unavailable for comment. Maxus' Irwin said an official statement would be issued in due course.

Maxus clients in the UK include Mercedes-Benz, Seiko, Palm and Marie Curie Cancer Care.