BBDO’s Katz Prepares to Depart

NEW YORK Bill Katz, president and chief executive of BBDO’s lead office here since 2001, is leaving the agency, BBDO confirmed on Tuesday.

Katz’s exit had been expected since Andrew Robertson arrived from AMV BBDO in London as the heir apparent to global chairman and CEO Allen Rosenshine nearly three years ago, sources said. Robertson currently serves as president and CEO of BBDO’s North American operations.

In a statement, Robertson said, “After 23 years, the last three as president and CEO, Bill has simply decided that he wants a change. He will be working with us while we decide on, and transition to his replacement. In the meantime, I will pick up Bill’s day-to-day responsibilities and will join [cheif creative] Ted Sann and [COO] Jeff Mordos in the direct management of the agency.”

No timetable was given for Katz’s departure.

Katz, 49, has spent most of his career at the Omnicom Group agency, with brief prior stints at Wells Rich Greene and Grey. He is the son of adman Stanley Katz, a principal at Leber Katz Partners, which subsequently became part of Interpublic Group’s Foote Cone & Belding.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at BBDO and leave with the satisfaction that the agency is in great shape,” said Katz in a statement provided by the agency. “BBDO has never been about one person. Rather, it’s always been about ‘the work, the work, the work.’ I’m looking forward to my next challenge.”

This story udates an item posted earlier today with confirmation of Katz’s departure.