FCB Worldwide CEO Carter Murray announced today that the agency has promoted Erika Darmstaedter to the newly-created role of chief client officer. In the role, Darmstaedter will continue to lead the Beiersdorf account (it’s a German personal care company) while also working with account management to guide client strategy across all agency networks.
Darmstaedter joined FCB in 2011 as EVP/global account director for Beiersdorf, taking on the additional role of president, FCB/Germany in February of 2013. Before joining FCB she spent a little over two years with TBWA, serving as European managing director and global account lead on Twix and Whiskas. Prior to that, she served as director of operations and then managing director of the EMEA region for Saatchi & Saatchi beginning in July of 2006 (she built and led the shopper marketing network Saatchi & Saatchi X in the region beginning in June of 2004). That position followed a four-year stint as CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Switzerland.
Darmstaedter, a Swiss native who is fluent in English, German and French, also spends time mentoring young industry talent, speaking at women’s network groups and lecturing the kids at Miami Ad School.
Her promotion precedes the arrival of new chief creative officer Susan Credle, a move the agency announced back in June (Credle begins her new job in January). With the additions of Credle and Darmstaedter, FCB will have a global leadership team which is almost fifty percent female, notable in an industry often criticized for its lack of gender diversity in such positions.
“Erika is an amazing brand steward who is highly regarded by clients and colleagues,” said Murray. “We have top-notch talent in our network and I can’t think of a better person than Erika to help guide them to become the best in the industry.”
Darmstaedter added:
“Our ability to listen, shepherd the right resources around a client challenge, and provide active leadership in a multi-channel environment that will remain ever-changing is essential to our success and I’m excited to help strengthen our already-thriving account teams and bring even more value to our clients.”