Bainsfair quits TBWA

TBWA Europe chairman Paul Bainsfair is leaving the agency, as first tipped in Marketing Week (MW March 22, 2007). He leaves the agency without a job to go to.

There had been increased speculation about his role since the appointment of Perry Valkenburg, the former chairman of TBWA Germany, as TBWA Europe president as well as chief operating officer worldwide. At the time insiders said that the high-level appointment at European level was further proof that Bainsfair had been marginalised.

In a statement, Keith Smith, president international says: “Bainsfair has been an excellent representative of TBWA at the highest level for many years and we will all miss him. The orbit of his responsibilities did change following our senior management reshuffle late last year and we understand that he has been less satisfied with his role, so although we regret his decision to leave, we do understand the background to his decision we will be working hard and fast to fill the big pair of shoes that he leaves behind.”

Bainsfair was appointed as president of Europe in April 2004, with responsibility for day-to-day operations across the region. He co-founded Bainsfair Sharkey Trott in 1990, acquired by GGT in 1997 and merged with the TBWA network the following year. Bainsfair was appointed chairman of the TBWA UK group in 1998.