Carroll takes on chief role as TBWA reshuffles top ranks

TBWA Worldwide has announced Tom Carroll will succeed Jean-Marie Dru (pictured) as chief executive of the Omnicom Group-owned network. Carroll also retains the title of president, while Dru becomes chairman. Lee Clow, who had been chairman and chief creative officer, becomes global director of media arts, a new title.

The changes, which are effective immediately, follow a number of changes at the group this year. In March, TBWA Europe chairman Paul Bainsfair announced his resignation following the appointment of Perry Valkenburg as TBWA Europe president as well as global chief operating officer (MW March 22). Two months later Publicis UK chairman Tim Lindsay quit the agency to join TBWA as its UK chief executive, effectively replacing Bainsfair.

Carroll worked at Chiat/Day in both New York and Los Angeles in the 1980s. He left in 1989 but returned 10 years later as TBWA Los Angeles president. In 2001 he was named president of TBWA Americas, becoming network vice-chairman in 2004 and president two years later.

Dru says it is time for him to “move up and let Tom take charge of running the company”.