Initiative Media and Universal McCann in Switzerland merged under Mediabrands
Initiative Media and Universal McCann, both part of the Interpublic Group, will be consolidated in Switzerland under the Mediabrands umbrella. However, both agencies will continue to operate under their own names in the market.
The Interpublic Group is now implementing the internal restructuring of the media divisions announced at the beginning of 2008 in Switzerland as well, with the media agency Initiative Media and the advertising agency Universal McCann in Switzerland being merged under the umbrella of Mediabrands at the beginning of 2009. However, both agencies will continue to operate on the market under their own names.
The structure introduced in Switzerland will not be rolled out by Interpublic in all markets, but in a very targeted manner, Graham Duff, Mediabrands president EMEA, was quoted as saying in a communiqué on Wednesday. In France, Belgium, Portugal and Austria, the experience has been very good. The ultimate goal is to expand and further develop the offerings of the two agencies.
According to the announcement, the departure of Initiative Media CEO Stephan Küng is not related to the restructuring. "Totally unrelated to this change is the other news that Stephan Küng, currently CEO of Initiative Switzerland, will be leaving in the first quarter of 2009 to become partner at Mediaschneider," Duff is quoted as saying. He fully understands that Küng wants to take the opportunity at Mediaschneider and wishes him all the best.
The structure introduced in Switzerland will not be rolled out by Interpublic in all markets, but in a very targeted manner, Graham Duff, Mediabrands president EMEA, was quoted as saying in a communiqué on Wednesday. In France, Belgium, Portugal and Austria, the experience has been very good. The ultimate goal is to expand and further develop the offerings of the two agencies.
According to the announcement, the departure of Initiative Media CEO Stephan Küng is not related to the restructuring. "Totally unrelated to this change is the other news that Stephan Küng, currently CEO of Initiative Switzerland, will be leaving in the first quarter of 2009 to become partner at Mediaschneider," Duff is quoted as saying. He fully understands that Küng wants to take the opportunity at Mediaschneider and wishes him all the best.
