Ad chief to head HSBC marketing

HSBC Holdings has appointed Canadian advertising guru Peter Stringham as its new marketing supremo.

Stringham starts on January 15 as head of group marketing. He joins from Young and Rubicam North America where he was chairman and chief executive officer. He left the agency in October last year when it was acquired by WPP Group.

He replaces Mary Jo Jacobi, former director of group marketing and communications.

Stringham’s career began 30 years ago as a copywriter and includes a 16-year association with BBDO, where he rose to occupy the position of president and ceo of BBDO Canada.

Stringham will report to Keith Whitson, group chief executive.

Whitson says: “He brings a wealth of experience and an impressive track record to his new role. In the past two years we have made good progress building the HSBC brand.”

HSBC is one of the world’s largest financial institutions with about 25 million customers.

It took over the Midland Bank two years ago.