In the middle of all your Advertising Week fun, Grey New York announced some changes to its business team.
As noted in today’s memo from CEO Debby Reiner, partner and director of marketing for North America Ben Tauber has been promoted to the role of managing director of account management.
Additionally, the agency hired Simon Ludowyke as its new EVP, director of business development.
Tauber has spent nearly a decade with Grey. As his bio notes, the new MD’s first stint there began in 2003, and he left after spending around five years in account management before leaving to serve as a director at BBDO and Lipman, the high-fashion shop that shut down in 2013.
Also according to that bio, “Ben’s contention that Grey is far superior to all other creative agencies is based on experience.” So of course he came back in 2013 as director of business development before being promoted two and a half years ago to partner status.
As per Reiner’s note, Ludowyke was most recently group account director at R/GA, where he oversaw Samsung and managed agency/client collaborations. His career includes a multitude of senior account roles at Publicis, BBH and Lowe as well.
Here’s your memo:
After five years of leading our new business efforts, I’m happy to announce that Ben Tauber will take on a new role within the agency.
Ben will become Managing Director, Account Management, effective immediately. He will focus on leveraging his new business experience to drive more integration of our capabilities and deliver added organic growth from our existing clients. Ben’s passion for growing client relationships and working across departments will help us to build more collaboration, leading to more business opportunities.
Ben will also oversee a portfolio of business, accounts which he helped introduce to Grey in his new business role, including Applebee’s, YouTube, McCormick, Marriott and more. Ben will work closely with the Account Management department to ensure Grey’s heritage of outstanding client leadership remains strong.
Importantly, I’m also delighted to announce that we have hired Simon Ludowyke as EVP, Director of Business Development. Simon, an Aussie native, brings nearly 20 years of outstanding experience to Grey. He comes to us from R/GA where he led Samsung, one of their largest global pieces of business. Along the way, he’s worked at BBH and Publicis in New York. Simon’s mandate will be driving growth for the agency. He will oversee all proactive pitch opportunities and continue to oversee all in-bound pitch opportunities. In addition, Simon is open to your thoughts on local boxing gyms, the best salad in the neighborhood and the health benefits of Vegemite.
Please give Simon and Ben your congratulations and full support as they hit the ground running.
Best, Debby