Saturday’s announcement that GSD&M parted ways with ECD Mark Taylor could have been predicted. Over the last year or so you’ve told us time and time again about the ECD’s dwindling participation points and the brewing conflict with Roy Spence.
What’s maybe the most frustrating piece of this story was the agency’s repeated attempts to convince the ad world that Taylor was doing more than could be seen. And he probably was — but when after a year his family hadn’t moved to Texas from Florida, he still wasn’t becoming the pitch guy and oh there was that time he was pulled from the Popeye’s account well the gloves came off. In other words this news was predictable and some have said tragically obvious.
But whether it was upper management’s insular inner circle (including most notably Spence Duff Stewart) or some other hidden factor that has led it down the current path, well we aren’t sure. Here’s what we do know:
— Marianne Malina is out as Managing Director of the creative dept. In that role she was an acting administrator and liason to Spence who we’re told doesn’t have the kind of hearing aid that picks up the creative frequency. She’s moving back to account services, having never left the kohler account. She recently jumped onto the SWA account too. Our sources say Malina is was known around the office to say one thing then do another. There are others who operate under the same philosophy, which appears to be institutionalized.
— Greg Lane, former head of broadcast production, will be taking Malina’s place.
— Luke Sullivan won’t be moved to ECD spot as some had guessed, and it’ll probably take awhile to fill that role. After Mark, someone with more experience is needed. Despite being busy with the book, Roy wants to be involved so someone who coheres with his ideas will be sought.
— The agency is still waiting to hear about BMW’s media account, and should find out by month’s end. If the account isn’t won there will be more layoffs including other big names. Not sure which, though.
More: “GSD&M Fires Mark Taylor, 11 Other, Staff Pay Reductions Follow”