CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- In a rapid succession of creative executives, two offices of Omnicom Group's BBDO Worldwide saw a change in their creative ranks today.
Phil Gant, the chief creative officer for BBDO Worldwide, Chicago, heads to Detroit to be the No. 2 creative behind Bill Morden, vice chairman and chief creative officer of BBDO there. Mike Vogel, chairman-CEO of the Detroit office, today said the position is new and Mr. Gant's title is to be determined (other Detroit executives said an internal memo announcing the move pegged Mr. Gant as executive creative director).
"We've been thinking of giving Bill some help because he's spread pretty thin," said Mr. Vogel.
Chrysler account
Mr. Vogel said that his agency, which is dedicated to serving its one client, DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group, is a "kind of flat organization," and that he and Mr. Morden attend many meetings to be involved in all aspects of the agency.
Mr. Gant, who had been with the Chicago shop for nearly 20 years, has been credited with leading the effort to elevate the creative product for BBDO, Chicago's top client, the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.
Previously at Merkley Newman
Meanwhile, BBDO, Chicago, named Marty Orzio to replace Mr. Gant. Mr. Orzio was the executive creative director of Omnicom sibling Merkley Newman Harty & Partners, New York, until he left in October 2001. Mr. Orzio earlier spent a dozen years at Lowe & Partners/SMS, New York, where he eventually left as executive vice president and creative group head.
"Marty is a tremendous creative talent. He has a proven track record of leading teams to produce world-class creative that energizes clients' brands," said Chicago's president-CEO, Tonise Paul, in a statement.
Another departure
Separately, Tim Copacia has left BBDO, Detroit. Mr. Vogel said he left "to pursue other activities." Mr. Copacia was one of several executive vice presidents at the agency.
Mr. Copacia was senior vice president and management supervisor on Chrysler's Dodge account at BBDO when he left in 1993 for Ross Roy. He rose to president-CEO of Ross Roy in 1999 and the agency was folded into BBDO in 2001.
