LONDON, March 19, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Cordiant Communications Group plc (NYSE:CDA):
David Hearn has been appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bates Worldwide and will join the Cordiant board as an Executive Director. David Hearn will be based in New York at Bates Worldwide's headquarters, reporting directly to Michael Bungey, CEO of Cordiant.
From 1995 to 2001, David Hearn was CEO and Managing Director of Goodman Fielder Limited, Australia's largest food brand manufacturer, with turnover of US$2.5 billion, 18,000 employees in 20 countries and a market value of US$2 billion. Under his leadership, Goodman Fielder was significantly refocused and a marked improvement in its financial performance was achieved. David Hearn's career has included management positions with several of the world's leading brand and marketing multinationals including Procter & Gamble, Del Monte, Smiths Crisps, Pepsico and United Biscuits.
Reporting to David Hearn will be the three Regional Presidents of Bates Worldwide, and the existing CEO of 141 Worldwide, Colin Hearn. Bill Whitehead and Ian Smith are appointed Regional Presidents of Bates Americas and Asia Pacific respectively. Toby Hoare, whilst continuing in his role as Chairman of Bates UK, is promoted to Regional President, Bates Europe. Jean de Yturbe, formerly Chairman, Bates Europe is appointed Deputy President, Cordiant with primary responsibility for multinational client development.
With David Hearn's appointment as the Bates Worldwide representative on the Cordiant Board, Bill Whitehead and Ian Smith will be resigning from the Cordiant Board.
Michael Bungey, Cordiant CEO said: "David's appointment and this regrouping of Bates' senior management are an important step in taking the network forward. David has outstanding management credentials and a successful career with some of the world's leading brands. He brings both an experience and dynamism to Bates which will make an invaluable contribution both at the network and at Group level."
Commenting on his appointment, Hearn said, "Marketing and brands are in my blood. Re-energizing companies, particularly marketing related ones is my background. Bates is one of the world's great advertising and marketing brands. It is my job to see that the world's multinationals recognise this. I look forward to working with Bates clients and people around the world."