RKCR promotes Exon to chief executive

Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R has promoted managing director Richard Exon to chief executive just eight weeks after he joined the agency. His appointment follows last weeks shock news that chief executive James Murphy is leaving the agency to launch a start-up.

Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R has promoted managing director Richard Exon to chief executive just eight weeks after he joined the agency. His appointment follows last week’s shock news that chief executive James Murphy is leaving the agency to launch a start-up.

The agency has also promoted Tony Harris, head of international business, to deputy chairman and deputy managing director Russell Hopson as managing director. Alison Hoad will remain the agency’s vice chairman and Mark Roalfe remains chairman.

Exon joined the agency at the start of May from Bartle Bogle Hegarty, where he was group business development director. He had been with the agency for 13 years.

It is understood that Murphy, planning director David Golding and creative director Ben Priest are currently seeking partners ahead of the launch of their agency next year.