Bcom3 Group reshuffles major players in global shake-up

Bcom3 Group has restructured its management to help transform its advertising and media agencies – Leo Burnett Worldwide, D’Arcy and Starcom MediaVest Group – into global marketing groups.

Stephen Gatfield, group president for LeoBurnett’s Asia/Pacific region and a former Leo Burnett London boss, has been made chief operating officer of Leo Burnett Worldwide.

His current position will be taken by Richard Pinder, regional director for south-east Asia and Greater China, who is being promoted to regional managing director. Pinder joined Leo Burnett in June from Ogilvy & Mather London.

The management promotions will take effect from January 2001.

The transformation of the agency will be spearheaded by Linda Wolf, currently the chief executive of Chicago-based Leo Burnett USA, who succeeds Roger Haupt as chief executive of Leo Burnett Worldwide. Brad Brinegar succeeds Wolf.

Robert Brennan, chief operating officer of Starcom MediaVest Group, will become president of Leo Burnett Worldwide.

Arthur Selkowitz, currently D’Arcy Worldwide’s chairman, is being promoted to vice-chairman and chief client officer of the Bcom3 Group.

Haupt says: “These are exciting times at Leo Burnett, D’Arcy and SMG, and I have no doubt that these management changes will make us stronger, more competitive and better prepared to provide our clients with the quality and service they will need in an increasingly complex marketing environment.”

Bcom3, which has more than 520 operating units in 90 countries, was officially launched in March this year following the merger of the former Leo and MacManus Groups.