Long is first casualty of Langdon reign
Euro RSCG London chief executive Nigel Long has been ousted in the second week of Ben Langdon’s reign at the advertising agency.
Former McCann-Erickson European chief Langdon joined the agency last week as UK chairman and chief executive of Euro RSCG Worldwide (MW March 11).
Long’s departure has been anticipated since Langdon’s surprise appointment, which left the agency’s senior management very top-heavy. Although there have been statements to the contrary, more departures are expected in the coming months as Langdon shakes up the agency.
Long, formerly chief executive of Partners BDDH, became chief executive of Euro RSCG London last year, when Havas merged Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper with Partners (MW August 14, 2003). He reported to Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper chief executive Chris Pinnington, who is chairman of the merged agency.
Long began his career as an account director at Lansdown Euro, going on to become client services director at WCRS. He left following the loss of the Prudential account, to join Butterfield Day Devito Hockney (BDDH) as managing director and partner.
In 1998, Long was part of the team which negotiated a share-swap deal with Snyder Communications, enabling BDDH to become part of a global network. Havas bought Snyder in 2000.
Euro RSCG Worldwide chairman and chief executive Jim Heekin says: “I have asked Ben Langdon to work with Chris Pinnington to lead the UK group. In discussions with Long, it became clear there was no room for both Langdon and him in the business.”
