Omnicom boss steps in to sort out stalemate over DDB London

Omnicom chief executive John Wren has stepped in to sort out problems that DDB London is experiencing in appointing a chief executive. Omnicom insiders say that Wren is trying to unblock the impasse that the London agency has met in trying to replace Paul Hammersley, who left at the end of last year. Michael Bray, the agency’s European chief, is looking after the London agency.

A BBDO source says that Wren has held talks with Farah Ramzan Golant, the AMV.BBDO boss, to try and steady the DDB London agency. Golant, however, insists that she has not been approached and says: “I plan to stay at BBDO till I die.”

Bray denies that Golant is in the frame for the role, but sources close to the situation insist he is coming under increased pressure from Wren and the network’s newly appointed chief executive Chuck Brymer, and is being asked to look within Omnicom for the role.

The agency has been troubled since Hammersley’s departure, and has since lost Weetabix, PG Tips and The Guardian.

Over the past few weeks it has emerged that all the names shortlisted by Bray – including Fallon’s Michael Wall, Lowe’s Ian Creasey, Chime’s Chris Satterthwaite and FCB’s Nigel Jones – have declined to take up the offer.