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Michael Birkin Departs Omnicom for New Venture; Tim Love to Become APIMA CEO

Posted on: Monday, 29 June 2009, 17:00 CDT

NEW YORK, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) today announced the appointment of Tim Love as Chief Executive Officer of Omnicom's Asia Pacific India Middle East Africa (APIMA) operations, effective July 1.

In his new role Love, who remains a Vice Chairman of Omnicom Group, succeeds Michael Birkin, Omnicom Group Vice Chairman and Asia Pacific Chairman and CEO, who is leaving to take a majority interest in RPMC, a US based events company with offices in London and Los Angeles.

At the same time, Serge Dumont, is promoted to President, Omnicom APIMA and Chairman Asia Pacific.

In making the announcement Omnicom Group President and CEO John Wren said, "I want to thank Michael for his tremendous contributions to Omnicom while at Interbrand, Diversified Agency Services and most recently as head of Asia Pacific, where his leadership helped build a strong organization. We wish him much success with his new opportunity."

Birkin noted, "I have worked in a variety of roles for Omnicom over 15 years, and it has been a terrific experience. In particular I'm delighted with the progress we have made in Asia, where we have seen excellent growth in the past few years and Omnicom agencies are currently both Creative and Media Agencies of the Year. I will miss the countless colleagues I have worked closely with for so long and wish them and the company every continued success."

Wren noted, "Our clients' needs have always guided our business strategy. Increasingly, our clients' needs will be best served by partnerships which address consumer requirements and customer development. The growth potential of the markets in this expanded region is significant. However the complexity of managing effective marketing programs when there are such diverse economic, retail and media realities within any one of them, let alone across them, can be challenging. By aligning this broader region, we can better leverage lead market knowledge and experience, organize for collaboration, increase the impact of, and simplify, marketing communications for our clients."

Wren added, "We are delighted to have Tim on point to identify opportunities in this region and to help clients maximize opportunities in global marketing. Tim's track record of global brand building and collaboration are key assets in an evolving global marketplace. He has partnered with clients to successfully launch brands in most geographies and cultures. He will work very closely with Serge Dumont who has been instrumental in developing Omnicom's footprint in Asia Pacific."

During his 35-year career, Love has held senior client relationship positions in the US and abroad. Prior to becoming Vice-Chairman of Omnicom in 2006 he was President of Global Clients at Omnicom network TBWA Worldwide. Before joining TBWA in 2004 he was Vice-Chairman, International at Saatchi & Saatchi.

A lecturer at Oxford's SAID School of Business and well known for his writings that include "Think like the Sun," Love said, "I am delighted that I will be working across what are effectively the first 12 time zones in the day. Harnessing our energy and collaboration in these countries will be key to building a truly global economy and I look forward to working with Serge Dumont and the rest of the team."

About Omnicom Group Inc.

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) is a leading global marketing and communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

SOURCE Omnicom Group Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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