The management turnover at the New York headquarters of Saatchi & Saatchi continues.
One month after General Mills account chief Brent Smart replaced Durk Barnhill as office CEO, New York chief creative officer Con Williamson told agency staffers today that he’s leaving the Publicis Groupe agency at the end of the month.
Departing with Williamson, who joined the shop in April 2010, is John Dunleavy, an evp and managing director on the agency’s Miller business. Both are said to be heading to another agency, the identity of which Adweek could not immediately ascertain. Dunleavy also joined Saatchi in 2010.
News of the exits surfaced at Saatchi’s year-end, all-hands-on-deck meeting, which took place at the Hudson Street office this afternoon.
In a statement after the meeting, Smart thanked Willliamson for his creative contributions and wished him well. A search for his successor is under way but isn’t expected to be completed before early next year. Until then, Peter Moore Smith, an executive creative director on the agency's General Mills, Chase and Duracell business, will lead the department day-to-day.
Before Saatchi, Williamson, 44, was chief creative officer at the New York office of Euro RSCG. Earlier in his career, he worked at JWT and Fallon.
