Aegis Media loses global chief

Aegis Media global chief executive Mainardo de Nardis (pictured) is leaving after two years. He will be succeeded by Jerry Buhlmann, currently chief executive of Aegis Media EMEA.

De Nardis left WPP’s Mediaedge:cia as global chief executive in October 2005 to take up the role at the rival marketing communications group as its first global chief. It is not known what his plans are following his departure.

Buhlmann take over from de Nardis on June 2. Since 2003, he has been chief executive of Aegis Media EMEA, responsible for 32 national markets, with revenues totaling £471.1m in 2007.

From 2000 to 2003 he was chief executive of Carat International and responsible for Aegis Media’s international clients. In 1989 he founded UK media agency BBJ, which was acquired by Aegis in 1999.

Aegis Media, which includes Carat and Vizeum, reported organic revenue growth of 10.3% in 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, and now derives over 25% of total revenue from digital services.

Robert Lerwill, chief executive of Aegis, says: “As CEO of Aegis Media EMEA, [Buhlmann] has been responsible for 70% of Aegis Media, overseeing double-digit revenue growth and improvement in operating margins each year. He has also spearheaded a significant successful new business effort, bringing in GM Europe, Johnson & Johnson and Mattel over the past 18 months.”