MUMBAI: Mediaedge:cia has announced a new management team for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Mark Austin will continue as chairman, Europe, Middle East and Africa, with Melanie Varley promoted to CEO, Europe, Middle East and Africa. They will report in to the agency's global executive chairman Charles Courtier.

 
Austin and Varley will be based in the Europe, Middle East and Africa headquarters in London. Varley takes over from Dominic Grainger, who has now become GroupM Europe, Middle East and Africa managing director.

 
 
Austin and Varley have worked closely in the development of Mediaedge:cia globally and regionally since the company was launched in 2002. Their objective will be to further drive the growth and success of Mediaedge:cia across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Austin will focus primarily on Europe, Middle East and Africa strategy development, management of the local markets, mergers and acquisitions (including commercial development of MEC’s Interaction and Content businesses) and managing MEC's talent to its full potential.

 
 
Varley’s task centres on the continued development of all European based clients and MEC product and services. She will play a key role in the management of the business’ specialist capabilities (such as Global Solutions, MEC Interaction and MEC Sponsorship).

Courtier was confident that this management team would continue to build on MEC’s success within the region. “I’m delighted with this partnership of Mark and Mel. They are both highly experienced operators within the industry and deeply committed to our vision of communications planning and implementation, Active engagement proposition and the role we play as a founding partner of GroupM,” he said.