There will be a major changing of the guards–well, eventually–at JWT’s top ranks as Gustavo Martinez has been tapped to succeed Bob Jeffrey as the agency’s global CEO in 2015. Jeffrey, who’s served as JWT’s top exec for 15 years, will continue in his role as chairman/worldwide CEO through 2014. In a statement regarding his eventual replacement, Jeffrey says, “Over the past few years, Gustavo and I have cultivated a relationship of mutual admiration and respect. He is passionate about the business, devoted to clients and understands that the key asset of the business is the caring, nurturing and understanding of its people. Gustavo Martinez is the future of JWT.” Couldn’t have ended it with a better exclamation point, we say.
While he awaits his move to top of the heap at JWT, Martinez (pictured) will assume the the role of global president of the WPP-owned agency network effective Feb. 2014. The exec currently serves as president for Europe and Asia at McCann Worldgroup, where’s he spent nearly the last three years. Martinez initially joined the Worldgroup from Ogilvy back in early 2011, replacing Brett Gosper as president of the European region. He subsequently moved up the charts at McCann, taking on more responsibility as co-leader of the agency’s Global Brand Community a year later. According to Campaign Asia-Pacific, McCann hasn’t made any announcement yet as to who Martinez’s potential replacement will be.