Group Press Releases
Aegis forms UK's Largest Regional Media Agency
02 September 1999
Board responsibilities and appointments
Aegis Group plc - the media planning, buying and market research company - announced today a number of new board responsibilities. Aegis also announces the appointment of David Verklin to the Board, with immediate effect.
Reflecting the Group's recent growth, international development and expansion into new service areas, Aegis will now be managed on a regional basis covering Europe, North America and Asia.
Given that the European region accounts for over 70% of the Group's business, Regional Chief Executive Officers for Northern and Southern Europe have been appointed who will report directly to Doug Flynn, Aegis's new Chief Executive. Ray Kelly, currently Chief Executive of Carat UK, becomes Regional Chief Executive Officer, Northern Europe, covering the UK, Scandinavia, Belgium and Holland. Bruno Kemoun and Eryck Rebbouh, currently joint Chief Executives of Carat France, become Regional Chief Executives of Southern Europe responsible for France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Middle East and Israel.
Kai Hiemstra, will continue to have responsibility for Central Europe, covering Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Europe. In addition to the European region, the Group's business in North America and Asia will continue to be lead by Regional Chief Executive Officers, David Verklin and Howard Wang respectively. Messrs Kelly, Kemoun, Rebbouh, Hiemstra and Verklin are members of the plc board.
The Regional Chief Executive Officers will form part of a newly established Carat Global Executive comprising 11 senior managers, lead by Doug Flynn and including Group Finance Director Colin Day.
David Verklin (43) is to join the Board of Aegis Group plc. He is Chief Executive of Aegis's US subsidiary Carat North America (CNA), the largest independent media buying and planning agency in North America. He joined the Group as head of CNA in April last year and under his direction the company has successfully integrated its US businesses and doubled its billings in the last 14 months. In 1998, CNA had billings in excess of $1.5 billion, making it one of the top ten media buying groups in the US, with clients including Pfizer, Midas and Alberto-Culver. David has also overseen the acquisition by Aegis of Freeman & Associates, a leading agency in the business-to-business and internet advertising sector.
Commenting on the management responsibilities and board appointment, Doug Flynn said:
"Aegis has grown successfully but also very quickly in the last five years. It has now reached a point where a new management structure is appropriate for a group of its size. This new management team, based on a group of very experienced managers with considerable knowledge of their areas, should ensure more efficient focus on each region's business, facilitate the winning of new business and allow me time to take a strategic view of the Groupãs development.
"I have worked with Ray, Eryck and Bruno both as a non-executive director of Aegis since May last year and as a client and I have a high regard for their expertise.
"David Verklin is an important addition to our board. He has a wealth of experience in the US advertising market and since joining Aegis has put it to tremendous use. He has been instrumental in establishing and developing our presence in the media buying and planning market in North America."
