GSD&M Idea City has promoted longtime adman (and agency president since 2007) Duff Stewart to CEO. Roy Spence, who Stewart is replacing, will continue in his role as chairman and CCO, working on new business.
Interestingly this news was not coupled with an announcement of a new ECD. Ever since former CP+B creative Mark Taylor was fired there’s been speculation about who would fill the role. Word is Spence will manage pitching duties, a skill Taylor needed some improvement on. Our best guess is that agency veteran Luke Sullivan will be handed the desk before too long.
From what we know about Spence and his plans for the agency, this move will allow him to focus more on the book he just wrote and making money for the agency through, he hopes, new biz. After nearly 40 years running the shop, it’s not much of a surprise that he’s stepping into solely a creative spot.
More: “Layoffs at GSD&M”