MediaCom has appointed ZenithOptimedia veteran Rupert McPetrie to head-up its leadership team in China, assuming responsibilities from acting CEO Mark Heap following Michael Zhang’s movement to GroupM towards the end of 2014.
McPetrie, currently CEO for Zenith’s Central and Eastern European operations, will assume his new role in August when he take charge of a revamped management team that includes Karl Wu as chief operating officer, Fabian Kietzman as chief digital officer, Jason Theodore as managing director Shanghai and Michelle Yin as finance director.
Heap said: “Rupert really stood out due to his great blend of talent, temperament and experience. He’s built a great reputation with many of the largest marketers in the business, which is important given our extensive client roster in China.
“He also really impressed us with many examples of how he built a thriving business in Russia and CEE through talent development, client relationship and product delivery initiatives. In many instances the market context had similar challenges to those we experience in China. I’ve no doubt that his addition will be the start of an exciting new chapter of success for MediaCom China, our employees and our clients.”
Operating from MediaCom’s Shanghai office he will work with clients including Bank of China, Mars and Wrigley.
