- Andrew McMains

NEW YORK WPP Group's Young & Rubicam has reached back to its past to find an executive to steer its global LG business. Chris Goodman, a former managing partner at Y&R who left for Accenture in 2005, is returning as global client leader on LG.

In December, LG named Y&R as its global network for adaptation and distribution, after appointing Bartle Bogle Hegarty its international lead strategic and creative agency.

Y&R will adapt BBH's global campaign for local markets and handle certain product-specific assignments in markets such as India, Australia and Russia. The broader adaptation and distribution assignment spans more than 40 markets.

All told, LG spends an estimated $350 million annually in major measured media.

Goodman, 43, most recently was a senior vice president at IMG in New York, where he led global business development efforts for the sports and entertainment marketing company's consulting division and oversaw client services for select North American offices. He joined IMG in May 2007, after roughly two years at Accenture, where he was executive director of global marketing.

Goodman's previous tour at Y&R spanned from 1989 to 2005. Before switching to the client side, he oversaw the shop's Accenture account.

"He has terrific, relevant experience and a history of innovatively building brands. What's more, he has a love of our brand -- a real respect for where we've been, what we stand for and an equal excitement about where we're headed," said Y&R worldwide CEO Hamish McLennan, in a statement.

Goodman said he was glad to be back. "My experience on the client side and in sports/entertainment marketing has enlarged my vision of what we can do," he added.

Goodman, who starts Monday, will be based in New York and is expected to report to McLennan.