Well, we have to say this is up there on the list when it comes to shortest agency stints, especially in terms of high-level positions. Barely three-and-a-half months after signing on at Ogilvy as senior partner, MD in its planning department, John Kottmann has packed his bags and moved to Chicago to join DDB as chief strategy officer. In a statement, DDB Chicago CEO Peter McGuinness offers the usual lathering, saying, “In an industry that’s increasingly about ‘cool and shiny’ downstream tactics and channels, John’s about all that, plus he’s about upstream business and brand-building ideas. Moreover, he’s got the gravitas and intelligence to not only explain them, but sell them.”
During his rather brief stay at Ogilvy, Kottmann specifically worked on new business planning as well as notable accounts including AmEx and Gap. Prior to Ogilvy, Kottmann spent the majority of his career at McCann, where he last served as EVP/CSO and helped the agency win the U.S. Army account back in 2005 and also served as global planning director on MasterCard during his run.