- Andrew McMains

NEW YORK JWT New York director of business development K.J. Weir is leaving the agency fold after nine years to become a recruiter at The Talent Business.

Weir, who starts Feb. 2, will assume the role of talent director and report to Christine Alshin, U.S managing director of the firm's U.S office in New York.
 
At the same time, U.S. CEO Lucy Meredith has left The Talent Business and moved to Los Angeles. Alshin and Weir will absorb Meredith's duties. (As such, the firm will not name a new U.S. CEO.) The Talent Business also has promoted talent strategist Stephanie Redlener to head of strategic talent for the U.S.

"Despite the prevailing economic climate, The Talent Business is continuing to invest behind its ability to deliver America's most talented marketing communications professionals for America's leading communications and creative businesses," said Gary Stolkin, the firm's global CEO.

The company, which also has offices in London, Singapore, Shanghai and Sao Paulo, helps agencies and other creative organizations such as Google find senior-level creatives, managers and strategic planners. The positions typically pay at least $150,000 a year.

Weir, 33, has led new business efforts at JWT's New York headquarters since April 2007. During that time, the agency has won pitches for clients such as Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Royal Caribbean and Jose Cuervo, but lost bids for Home Depot, Splenda and Tidy Cats, among others.

Before WPP Group's JWT, Weir was director of business development at independent Wieden + Kennedy in New York, where she spent a year. She began her career at Publicis Groupe's Leo Burnett in Chicago, where she held account management and new business positions. Her client management experience includes Philip Morris, PetSmart and One.org.

Weir described her new job as an "incredible opportunity to help shape our industry in a broader way," adding, "I've been fortunate to have been part of great teams and I look forward to helping -- perhaps forcing -- our industry to evolve."

JWT has launched a search for a North American new business development chief to replace Weir and Jeff Stier, who left the agency at the end of last year, an agency representative said. Stier had been director of business growth for the North American region since 2006.

"We've had great success in new business and K.J. has built a great team," the rep added. "We wish her success in her new endeavor."