Longtime CEO Linda Kaplan Thaler Leaves Publicis New York

Linda Kaplan Thaler is leaving her post as chairman of Publicis New York, a move that comes about eight months after the agency dropped the moniker of her eponymous shop, Kaplan Thaler. Ms. Kaplan Thaler, who founded the Kaplan Thaler Group in 1997, has decided to "embark on a new chapter," according to an emailed message from the longtime CEO and creative officer. She was most recently chairman of the agency. She said in the note that she will expand her career as a motivational speaker and open a production company with her "award-winning composer husband, Fred Thaler." The production company will focus on musical and theatrical projects, the email stated. Kaplan Thaler Group and sibling agency Publicis, New York merged in the summer of 2012, and some16 months later, Ms. Kaplan Thaler's agency partner for many years, Robin Koval, stepped down from her post. Throughout her career, Ms. Kaplan Thaler, well-known for her talented jingle-writing, has worked on a slew of creative efforts, such as "Pitching In" for Aflac; "Dawn Saves Wildlife" for Dawn Dish Detergent; "You Know When It's Real" for Wendy's; and "Toys R' Us Kid" for Toys R' Us. She was also key in the creation of Aflac's duck and Herbal Essence's "organic experience," which made hair-washing seem positively orgasmic. "Linda's energy and passion is contagious," said Publicis North America President-CEO Andrew Bruce. "It cradles and carries big ideas from their fragile beginnings to impactful communications that just can't be ignored or overlooked. She's a magnetic personality with energy to burn and ambition to spare. We'll miss her. I'll miss her." Ms. Kaplan Thaler was not immediately available for comment.

Longtime CEO Linda Kaplan Thaler Leaves Publicis New York

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