“I see it as a great opportunity to go to the world’s largest global ad agency and make a difference in the quality of the strategic thinking that the agency can provide its multinational clients,” said Kim late Friday. He leaves the post of executive vp/U.S. directer of strategic planning at JWT.The shift of Kim follows a week-long battle between McCann and WPP to win over one of JWT’s most highly-valued executives. It also follows a lengthy quest by Dooner to snare top strategic talent to retool the $6.3 billion shop. Earlier this year, McCann was discussing strategic positions with several ad executives, but the Kim appointment is believed to be a higher post than that discussed in McCann’s earlier talks.“The size and scope of this thing was something he couldn’t ignore,” said JWT/N.Y. general manager Jim Heekin. Kim’s experience at JWT would seem to suit him well for a strategic role at McCann. Working in a close-knit trio with Heekin and JWT North America chief Jim Patterson, Kim helped transform the New York office from its post-Burger King downswing in 1987 into a new business powerhouse with an emphasis on strategic planning. Kim, a former New York University professor with two masters degrees from the school, earned a seat on the JWT Worldwide board at the age of 32.Kim is believed to have officially resigned to JWT ceo Burr Manning almost two weeks ago. According to one source, WPP countered with an offer of a seat on its board and a job “to architect the future” for WPP. WPP ceo Martin Sorrell and Manning could not be reached.Copyright Adweek L.P. (1993)