ECD Mahan Leaves McCann L.A.

LOS ANGELES Executive creative director Richard Mahan has left Interpublic Group’s McCann Erickson here to start his own agency, according to sources. Mahan declined comment.

The shakeup at McCann Erickson’s Los Angeles office was precipitated by the ascension of Steve Levit to the position of CCO in charge of creative on all agency accounts, according to sources.

That leaves the creative leadership of McCann’s Nestle and IHOP businesses in Levit’s hands. Mahan oversaw Nestle for seven years and led IHOP since the agency won it six years ago.