The New York-based Omnicom Group promoted Dale Adams to CEO of its Diversified Agency Services (DAS) division.
Previously, Adams was president of the highly profitable operating unit. DAS encompasses holdings in a variety of marketing disciplines, including CRM – one of disciplines that drove the most growth in Omnicom’s successful third quarter – PR and specialty communications.
DAS houses the Porter Novelli, Ketchum Public Relations and Fleishman Hillard companies, among others.
Adams, who joined Omnicom in 1991 and has been president of the division since 2008, succeeds longtime DAS CEO Thomas Harrison. Harrison began his career with Omnicom Group in 1992 when it acquired his agency Harrison & Star Business Group. He then became President of DAS and in 1998 succeeded John Wren as chairman and CEO of DAS. Wren is CEO of Omnicom. Harrison will continue as chairman. While the move is part of a planned succession, there is no set date for Harrison’s retirement.
In the announcement about Adams’ promotion, Wren stated: “Dale and Tom have expanded the DAS network through a combination of client growth and the successful, strategic acquisitions of entrepreneurial agencies. Dale’s vision is focused and relevant to our clients’ needs, and, like Tom, he understands the entrepreneurial mindset.”
Most recently, the division acquired Marina Maher Communications, a PR agency that specializes in marketing to women.
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