Euro RSCG chief Toaldo quits abruptly

Euro RSCG managing director Simon Toaldo is leaving the agency and it is understood that it has no plans to replace him.

His resignation was announced to the agency last Friday through an internal memo. It is not clear what Toaldo plans to do although insiders say that he has lined up a “launch” project.

Toaldo, formerly managing director at Partners BDDH before it merged with Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper in 2003, has remained in the role despite instability across the agency’s top management.

The Havas-owned agency brought in Ben Langdon, who walked out on a start-up in order to take the role of Euro RSCG chairman, in 2004. His appointment came after chief executive Nigel Long had been ousted, a move that increased Toaldo’s responsibilities to include promoting the agency’s creative and strategic functions.

Later that year, Toaldo’s co-managing director Adam Leigh quit, which left Toaldo in control of the day-to-day running of the agency.

The agency faced further upheaval in September 2005 when Langdon was also ousted. The UK group chief executive Chris Pinnington took over the role in the interim before former JWT London managing director Mark Cadman took over the role.

Toaldo’s position at the agency has been the subject of much speculation as it has struggled to bring in new business. It has recently had some success with News Magazines and Reckitt Benckiser.

It is not clear when Toaldo will leave the agency.