In Friday’s edition of “People who are Getting Promoted Around Omnicom,” PHD has named Craig Atkinson as its new president and chief digital officer. Atkinson most recently led McDonald’s digital business at OMD, where he also held the title of chief acquisitions officer. Atkinson’s career features stints at Modem Media, Digitas, and Arc Worldwide and strategy development for clients HBO, Intel, Michelin, Washington Mutual, and the U.S. Army.
The exec will assume his new role on April 1. In the meantime, he’s transitioning his duties to his soon-to-be replacement at OMD, the company’s current Midwest digital director Michael Solomon. As MD of OMD’s McDonald’s business, Solomon will “lead the development and execution of McDonald’s overall strategic approach and execution of its national media plan, while maintaining a special focus on digital and emerging media strategy.” Try printing that on a business card, Mr. Solomon. According to a press release quoting Omnicom North America CEO Page Thompson, “To paraphrase a fundamental principal of our industry, his appointment is definitely a case of the right man, in the right place at the right time.”