MUMBAI: Omnicom Group Inc. announced the appointment of Michael Birkin as president and CEO of Omnicom Asia-Pacific. Birkin who takes charge on 1 April, will also hold the title of vice chairman Omnicom Group.
 
 
Birkin's position is new to Omnicom and reflects the increasing activity in the rapidly growing Asian markets. Through its advertising networks, BBDO, DDB and TBWA, the Omnicom Media Group and its Diversified Agency Services network (DAS), Omnicom already serves many multinational clients throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The appointment of Birkin is to ensure that Omnicom is developing and aligning its capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region to serve its clients' fast changing advertising and marketing services needs.

 
 
Omnicom Group president and CEO John Wren said, "Given the growing portfolio of Omnicom companies in the Asia-Pacific region, we feel it's time for a senior representative of the holding company to be based in Asia and to further expand our services to meet the expectations and requirements of our major clients. With Michael's international perspective and senior operating experience, we feel very confident that he is exactly the right person to take on this key strategic role."
 
 
Since 1999, Birkin has served as Worldwide President of DAs, Omnicom's largest network. Prior to holding this position, Birkin served as DAs International President from 1997 to 1999 and European managing director from 1995 to 1997. From 1987 to 1995 he was the CEO of Interbrand, the world's leading brand consultancy agency, which was acquired by DAs in 1993.
"I'm delighted to have the opportunity to lead Omnicom in the Asia-Pacific region. We are experiencing enormous growth in the demand for our services in the region, and I look forward to working with our agencies and networks there to broaden and deepen the scope of our work," said Birkin.