Doug Turney is replacing Howard Breen as head of MacLaren McCann Oct. 1, with Breen taking a special “chairman emeritus” post with the agency through the end of the year.
McCann Worldgroup announced the move in a brief statement issued early this afternoon, saying it was eliminating the chairman and CEO position in Canada. Turney, president and COO of MacLaren McCann since 2002, will now report to Robert LePlae, president of McCann Erickson North America.
“Howard has done a terrific job of leading our Canadian operations, and though family considerations prevent him from considering a post outside Canada, he has agreed to assume the role of Chairman Emeritus through the remainder of the year to help us transition to the new structure,” said Eric Keshin, COO of McCann Worldgroup and regional director of McCann Erickson North America, in the release.
Breen said he’s been discussing his future with McCann for several months within the context of larger North American changes. Late last month, McCann Worldgroup announced LePlae was joining McCann Erickson in the new title of president of McCann Erickson North America, based in San Francisco.
“I am not sitting here with any regrets,” said Breen. “I am sitting here thinking this is the right decision for the company. It was a good move to bring in a North American president and maybe [the change] will help MacLaren McCann be involved with more North American clients. I would like that.”
The appointment of LePlae should translate to improved efficiencies for the company, but without diminishing autonomy for MacLaren McCann, he said.
For the option of a “post outside Canada,” Breen said he was presented with a number of opportunities, and he has not ruled out international work in the future, but with an elderly father and mother-in-law and a son entering high school, he did not want to move away from Toronto.
“We just looked at this and said family comes first,” said Breen.
As of Sept. 31 Breen will step aside from all customer interaction, officially handing the reins over to Turney while still offering “counsel and advice… helping to bring the plans together for next year.”
Breen plans to reduce his hours at the agency through the fall, and he’ll be finished completely by the new year. He said he was unable to comment on his plans beyond that.
