Beat Mühlemann takes his hat off again at Publicitas

 
After three months as Head of Market Development at Publicitas, former Migros advertising manager Beat Mühlemann is already leaving the marketer again: he wants to take over the management of an international advertising agency. When asked by Werbewoche, the former Advertiser of the Year did not want to reveal what this will be: "Out of consideration for my future employer, I can't say yet." The secret is to be revealed on Thursday. Industry insiders have thrown the names of various agencies around to which Mühlemann could be drawn: McCann Erickson, Publicis or an agency from the Y&R Group. However, Publicis and Y&R denied these rumors to Werbewoche and McCann Erickson could not be reached.
Beat Mühlemann did not comment on the speculation either. However, he emphasized that his departure had nothing to do with Publicitas and all the changes at the marketer: "That's not the point. Although there is a lot going on at Publicitas, it is also good that it is reforming. My decision has nothing to do with Publicitas, my work there or my superiors. For me, running an advertising agency is the fulfillment of a childhood dream. I know that I'll blame myself for the rest of my life if I don't seize this opportunity." The request from his future employer came at very short notice. Mühlemann is aware that his departure from Publicitas will be a talking point after just a few months. "There's a lot of talk about Publicitas on the market at the moment. Anyone who works there also knows how much of it is hair-raisingly wrong. The reform is on the right track."
Publicitas regrets the decision, but can understand it in view of the new challenge, according to a press release. "Not only are we losing an accomplished media professional, Beat Mühlemann's departure is also very regrettable on a personal level," summarizes Christian Gartmann, Director Media Partner Relations & Marketing. "Beat got to grips with the company very quickly and immediately contributed to our reorganization with a great deal of expertise and prudence. There was hardly an area in which we couldn't get valuable advice from him."
Publicitas announced at the end of October 2007 that Mühlemann would be joining the marketer in February 2008 (see
).