WPP WPP PLC

By Nathalie Tadena 

WPP's Ogilvy & Mather has named longtime agency veteran John Seifert as its new worldwide chief executive, succeeding Miles Young.

Mr. Seifert, who has been with the company for 37 years, was most recently chairman and CEO of Ogilvy & Mather North America. Mr. Seifert's appointment as worldwide CEO is effective immediately. On Sept. 1, he will take on the additional title of worldwide chairman from Mr. Young, who will retain a nonexecutive role helping the agency with key global clients.

Mr. Seifert is known for his ability to form strong relationships with clients, such as American Express and DuPont. Other holding companies have tried to lure him away over the years to run different agencies, according to people familiar with the matter. However, Mr. Seifert, 58, has remained at Ogilvy & Mather, one of WPP's largest agencies.

"John Seifert is truly an exemplary Ogilvy citizen. His values and the brand's values are indistinguishable. And if you talk to his clients you will find a fan club united in admiration of him," Mr. Young said in a statement.

Before running Ogilvy & Mather North America, Mr. Seifert led a portfolio of 25 global clients worth nearly $1 billion in revenue. Mr. Seifert joined the agency as a summer intern in 1979.

"I am honored and humbled to succeed Miles as Worldwide CEO of a company I deeply love, and a brand that commands such respect around the world," Mr. Seifert said in a statement.

Mr. Young, who had served as the agency's global CEO since 2009, in June announced plans to retire in 2016 to become the warden of his alma mater, New College at Oxford University.

Suzanne Vranica contributed to this article.

Write to Nathalie Tadena at nathalie.tadena@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 20, 2016 10:39 ET (15:39 GMT)

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