Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) today announced two leadership appointments at the DAS Group of Companies (DAS). Michael Larson has been promoted to CEO of DAS and John Doolittle has been named CEO of the newly formed Communications Consultancy Network (CCN). Both CEOs will report into Dale Adams who remains Chairman of DAS. The appointments are effective immediately.
As CEO of DAS, Michael Larson will lead the Health Group (OHG), Precision Marketing Group (OPMG), Commerce Group (OCG) and the Advertising Collective (OAC). Joining Omnicom in 2008, Larson formed and led the Optimization Group. He has served as the President of DAS since 2018, overseeing the network’s business strategy, operations and talent management.
With a background in operations and finance, Larson has successfully engineered many of Omnicom’s multi-agency teams and was instrumental in Omnicom’s support of the marketing transformation of clients such as PepsiCo, Bayer, SC Johnson, Merck, AT&T, Novartis, Ford, Philips, McDonald’s and Pfizer.
Another long-time Omnicom leader, John Doolittle has been an integral part of the group for more than 20 years, joining Omnicom in 1999 as CFO, Americas of DAS and later being promoted to Global CFO in 2005. In 2012, he was appointed President of DAS, playing a central role in financial management, geographic expansion, acquisitions, the organic development of new service offerings and talent strategies. More recently, he was the Interim CEO of the Public Relations Group (OPRG).
In his role as CEO of Communications Consultancy Network, Doolittle will lead Omnicom’s new Network comprised of Omnicom Public Relations Group – with agencies including FleishmanHillard, Ketchum, Marina Maher Communications, Porter Novelli and more —and the Brand Consulting Group – with agencies including Hall & Partners, Interbrand, Siegel+Gale and more.
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He will oversee strategic initiatives including mergers & acquisitions and cross-agency growth priorities such as CCN’s data and analytics offerings. Also providing oversight to the Brand Consulting Group will be Chuck Brymer who continues as Chairman.
“Michael and John have been a driving force within DAS,” said John Wren, Chairman and CEO of Omnicom Group. “They are highly talented executives who individually and together have clearly demonstrated the ability to manage a rich mix of agencies in a variety of disciplines. With this strong leadership team in place, I could not be more confident about the continuing success of DAS and CCN.”
“Omnicom places a strong emphasis on succession planning, and after working with both Michael and John for several years, I know their extensive leadership experience with Omnicom agencies will make for a seamless transition into these new roles,” said Dale Adams.
“I am certain that, with Michael as CEO of DAS and John as CEO of CCN, these Networks will continue to develop the talent, resources and tools needed to grow and succeed in their respective marketplaces.”
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