Grey moves swiftly to install new senior team after 'Grexit', putting diversity and innovation at the forefront
Grey London has moved swiftly to bolster its senior team following the departures of three of its most senior staff, announcing that Wayne Brown and Matt Tanter will take on the roles of chief operating officer and chief strategy officer respectively.
Grey has put diversity and innovation at the forefront in its new senior team
The creative shop said it is "on a mission to become the most progressive agency in the world," after its chairman and chief creative officer Nils Leonard, chief executive Lucy Jameson and managing director Natalie Graeme, all handed in their notice earlier this month.
Now Brown, currently managing director of GreyPossible, will take up the mantle of chief operating officer, with Grey’s former head of planning Tanter being promoted to chief strategy officer. Both joined the agency in 2013.
They will report to chief executive Leo Rayman, who was revealed Jameson's replacement when the slew of senior breakaways was announced.
While the departure of its management team caught the agency off guard, Rayman has responded swiftly with a team of his own that will steer his agenda. Technology and diversity now guide the decisions at Grey, which is developing an acquisition strategy for the former while introducing new working models - ie not billing for time, but by making and owning.
Brown will focus on acquisitions to continue to diversify Grey London’s offer, especially in the areas of tech, data, entertainment and earned media. He will also continue to run GreyPossible and further build the bond between it and other group companies, including GreyShopper and GreyWorks.
At 35-years-old, Tanter is now one of the youngest chief strategy officers of a large agency. He was appointed Grey London’s head of planning in April last year, having spent two years as planning director on some of the firm's most recognised work including Lucozade’s ‘Conditions Zone’ campaign.
Leo Rayman, chief executive Grey London said: "By promoting Matt and Wayne, Grey London is accelerating its push to be the most progressive creative firm in the world. Their energy and diversity, combined with their modern marketing expertise are a brilliant representation of the open culture we continue to build at Grey."