Omnicom names Daryl Simm president and chief operating officer

Omnicom Group has named Daryl Simm as its president and chief operating officer, which points to a plan for Simm to potentially succeed John Wren as CEO of the industry's second-largest holding company. Subscribe to Ad Age now for award-winning news and insight. While the timetable of a succession plan is unclear, according to an SEC filing this year, Wren’s employment with the holding company is slated until December 31, 2024, with automatic renewals every year thereafter, “unless either party timely notifies the other of their intent not to renew the Employment Agreement,” the filing states. Simm who has served as CEO of Omnicom Media Group for more than two decades, is the first president since Wren, 69, was elevated from the position to chairman in 2018. “Daryl has been instrumental in developing our media network since its inception,” Wren said in a statement, and "has played an integral role in many of our successful investments and initiatives by bringing the power of Omnicom to our most important clients, including the development of Omni, our open operating system that orchestrates better outcomes for clients. Daryl is well-respected across the company and, in partnership with our executive leadership team, has helped us develop our strategy for future growth.” Florian Adamski will succeed Simm as CEO of Omnicom Media Group. Adamski previously served as CEO of OMD Worldwide. The role will now be filled by George Manas, who previously served as chief media officer of OMD U.S. “As evidenced by our recent Mercedes-Benz win, Florian’s ability to work across different geographies and cultures, as well as his unique ability to solve client challenges by bringing together the best of our service offerings across the company, makes him well-suited for this larger role at the OMG level,” Wren said. Wren, who has served as CEO since 1997, is the longest sitting CEO of a major holding company. In October, Omnicom posted third-quarter organic revenue growth of 11.5% which marked the company’s second consecutive quarter of organic growth since being punched by the pandemic in early 2020. Subscribe to Ad Age now for award-winning news and insight.

Omnicom names Daryl Simm president and chief operating officer

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