- Andrew McMains

NEW YORK Interpublic Group's Lowe today confirmed the hiring of Michael Wall as its global CEO.

The move was expected. Adweek.com on June 3 reported that talks between Wall and Lowe concerning the post had reached the advanced stage.

Wall had most recently been CEO of BBDO Portugal, but he left that job in March after about a year. He is also a former president of Fallon's international operations.

At Lowe, Wall succeeds Stephen Gatfield, a transplant from parent IPG, who has held the top post for three years -- a timeframe that was predetermined in his contract. The holding company said Gatfield would shift to a part-time role as an executive vice president at IPG, reporting to CEO Michael Roth.

Wall will work out of London, where worldwide chairman Tony Wright also is based. Both will report to Roth. "By partnering Tony and Michael, we feel that we have the best team in place to build on Lowe's positive momentum and creative positioning," said Roth, in a statement.

Roth also thanked Gatfield for "having played a critical leadership role" in what the IPG chief described as "Lowe's revitalization."

Wright cited Wall's international experience at Fallon as a key factor in the hire: "Michael not only managed a global business, he built up a company known for its creativity and insight. This background makes him ideally suited to understand and flourish within the Lowe culture."

Wall said he was excited about the opportunity and looked forward to working with Wright and the rest of the global management team, which includes chief creative officer Matthew Bull, chief financial officer Hugh Doherty and Bert Moore, who rose to chief strategy officer this week.