The cleanout at GroupM continues with this morning’s confirmation that Mark Pejic (pictured) has resigned from the group.
Pejic, the incumbent CEO at MediaCom, has resigned to “to pursue other interests”. Pejic was believed to be heavily involved with the business when it was embroiled in the overcharging scandal that has dogged the group since October 2014.
This latest resignation adds to a string of high-profile employees who’ve recently left the group. These include GroupM’s investment director Danny Bass, MediaCom’s CFO David Reid who resigned last week and Sydney MD Geoff Clarke.
In late April GroupM CEO John Steedman announced he would be standing down in June; however, he would remain in a non-executive position.
A statement was issued to the media this morning regarding Pejic’s resignation which read: “Mark has been with MediaCom since the agency’s formation in 2004 following a merger with Zenith Media, where he was Managing Director. Mark began his career at JWT in 1989 and spent nine years in various media positions at the agency before moving to George Patterson Bates and then Zenith Media.
“He took up the reins as MediaCom CEO in 2012 after a three-year stint as COO, and was instrumental in growing the business during that time.”
Pejic said of his decade-plus career with MediaCom: “I have enjoyed a rewarding 11 years with MediaCom, both in Melbourne and Sydney, and enjoyed the opportunity to work with great people and great clients in both cities. It’s now time to move on and pursue a different opportunity. I wish my successor and my friends at MediaCom every success in the future.”
As yet, no replacement has been announced for Pejic; however, there has been media reports that the search will be an international one with some Europeans favoured.
Regional CEO of MediaCom, Mark Heap, said of Pejic’s resignation: “Mark has been a committed and loyal employee and his passion, energy and talent will certainly be missed. He has played a central role in the success of MediaCom in the Australian market, and we are grateful for his contribution. We will be making an announcement in the coming weeks regarding his successor.”
