After 14 years of leading global media agency MEC, GroupM has announced that Charles Courtier is stepping down as global CEO to focus on interests outside the company.
Courtier will continue as MEC’s chief through a transition period and step down at the end of the year, but continue at WPP (the parent company of GroupM) until June 2017.
“I am immensely proud of what we’ve achieved at MEC and honoured to have worked with such unique people at such a genuinely special agency,” Courtier said.
“However, it is the right time for me to move on and start a second life.
GroupM’s global chairman, Irwin Gotlieb, said Courtier was instrumental in MEC’s global expansion.
“He leaves MEC with a strong culture focused on delivering client growth and a long run among the top five agencies in the world,” he said.
“We thank Charles and wish him the best in his next chapter.”
Succeeding him will be Tim Castree, who will lead MEC’s 5,000 employees who manage more than $25 billion in annual advertising investment for blue-chip clients in 93 countries.
Castree brings more than 20 years of experience to the role across creative, media and digital agencies. He served most recently as managing director of Videology in the US, and was also previously the US chief operating officer for Publicis Groupe’s Mediavest and global managing director for Starcom MediaVest Group.
GroupM’s global CEO, Kelly Clark, said Castree is a proven leader who will bring vision and energy to MEC.
“He has a laser focus on clients and what they need to win in today’s incredibly complex and competitive market,” she said.
“His broad range of client, agency and geographic experiences will help the MEC team continue to grow.”
Castree will step into his new role in January next year.
