Adweek reported Wunderman Thompson played musical chairs with its Global Chief Talent Officer position, recruiting Maree Prendergast from Publicis Groupe and shifting Laura Agostini to another role within WPP North America. On the one hand, Agostini offered zany perspectives and technically had been at the helm during the Gustavo Martinez-Erin Johnson debacle, Jo Wallace-Straight White Men fiasco, gender pay gap scandal and more, so maybe it was time to make a switcheroo. But what is the value of swapping her for a clone from Publicis Groupe—who oversaw talent at Publicis.Sapient to boot? The move feels like onboarding a clown from a rival circus. And if WPP executes the plan to execute 2,500 workers, does the White advertising agency need a Global Chief Talent Officer at all? Instead, recent hires have included Global Chief Talent Officer, Global Chief People Officer and Global Head of Culture. If there’s a Chief Diversity Officer too, they represent perhaps the most diverse example of useless talent of any single organisation.
Wunderman Thompson Hires New Global Chief Talent Officer From Rival Holding Company
Laura Agostini will move to a role inside WPP North America
By Erik Oster
Wunderman Thompson attracted its new global chief talent officer from a rival holding company.
Maree Prendergast is joining Wunderman Thompson in the role from Publicis.Sapient, effective as of March 25. Laura Agostini, who previously served as global chief talent officer for the agency, is moving on to a position within WPP North America.
As global chief talent officer, Prendergast will be tasked with overseeing talent strategy and execution, driving agency culture. She will be based out of Wunderman Thompson’s New York office and report directly to global CEO Mel Edwards.
“Talent is the most valuable and important aspect of our business, and Maree’s ability to build and execute against our agency’s strategy will be imperative to the success of Wunderman Thompson,” Edwards said in a statement. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Maree to the Wunderman Thompson family.”
“I am excited to be part of this global agency at its inception and to guide the growth of its talent across the network,” added Prendergast. “I believe the core offerings that Wunderman Thompson delivers make it an exceptionally unique and exciting place to be a part of.”
Prendergast was named chief talent officer at Publicis.Sapient in August of 2017, following a year and a half in that role for Publicis One. Before that, she spent over two and a half years as chief talent officer, North America for MSL Group.
The move follows WPP naming Judy Jackson to the new role of global head of culture last week and hiring Jacqui Canney from Walmart as global chief people officer the week prior. WPP unveiled the branding for the new Wunderman Thompson at the beginning of February.
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