- Steve McClellan, Adweek and Michael Burgi, Mediaweek

NEW YORK Omnicom's PHD Worldwide named Scott Hagedorn CEO of PHD USA, effective Jan. 1, replacing Matt Seiler, who left this summer to become global CEO of Interpublic's Universal McCann.

Hagedorn inherits a smaller role, as Seiler had been responsible for all of North America. He joins from sibling media shop OMD, most recently as managing director, East Coast region.

Jen Neal, most recently PHD USA's executive vp, managing partner, had been offered the even more diminished role of president, but declined and is leaving the company, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

It could not be immediately determined who would assume Neal's role. In addition to the Discovery and Travel Channel assignments, Neal was involved with the HBO and Hyatt accounts.

Previously, Hagedorn had been managing director of OMD's East Coast region. Before that he ran the shop's digital operation.

In his new position, Hagedorn will be based in New York and report to PHD worldwide CEO Mike Cooper but also take some direction from Page Thompson, who was recently named CEO of Omnicom Media Group North America. OMG is the Omnicom corporate unit that oversees OMD, PHD and many of the shop's other media services units.  

Commenting on the appointment, Cooper said: "Scott has a unique and diverse background, having worked in digital, direct, and more recently running a large media operation.  His wealth of experience on major accounts and his outstanding new business track record make him the perfect choice to lead PHD USA. He's also a great fit with the PHD culture as he's a true media pioneer."

Said Hagedorn: "I'm thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead this progressive firm in the U.S. PHD has an excellent strategic reputation worldwide.  I look forward to leveraging all that I've learned during my career to advance the agency."