Initiative to unveil new management structure

Initiative Media is expected to an-nounce its new top-level management line-up this week, with managing director Tony Manwaring strongly tipped to take the most senior UK role.

A new international role, liaising with Initiative Media worldwide chief executive and chairman Marie-Jose Forissier in Paris, is also expected to be revealed.

The restructure – which sources say was announced to UK staff yesterday (Tuesday) – follows the decision by Phil Georgiadis, chief executive, to join Christine Walker as a partner in the start-up Walker Media.

Sources say Manwaring will be rewarded for his instrumental role in winning the 90m Peugeot-Citroë account in July. Similarly Roy Jeans, former managing director of press sales house AMRA who was hired after the PSA win to bring in non-broadcast expertise, is in line for a senior title. It is understood he will be made managing director in the new structure. One source says: “Initiative was very much a TV agency. It needed Roy to broaden it out.”

Bryan Smith, Unilever client services director, is tipped as vice-chairman or similar, in a deputy role to Manwaring.

Manwaring was unavailable for comment.