CEO Kelly Clark: GroupM Has ‘Moved On’ From Sorrell Exit

When WPP Group-owned GroupM opens its doors at the brand new 3 World Trade Center building in downtown Manhattan next month, it’ll be more than just a symbolic new beginning.

The face of GroupM is changing. In addition to the shocking exit of WPP CEO Martin Sorrell in April, two longtime GroupM executives, Chairman Irwin Gotlieb and Chief Digital Officer Rob Norman, have retired within the past year.

GroupM’s services are transforming, too, as media planning and buying becomes commoditized and clients demand programmatic and data expertise.

“It’s a time of incredible change in the business for our clients, our agencies and our people,” GroupM CEO Kelly Clark told AdExchanger.

That undercurrent of change has led GroupM to 3 World Trade, where it will bring together 4,000 employees spread across six New York City offices to “collaborate, be creative and help our clients solve problems,” Clark said.

Clark spoke with AdExchanger at the new building about life after Sorrell.

AdExchanger: How disruptive has Sorrell’s exit been to GroupM?

KELLY CLARK: It hasn’t touched the way we run the business or work with clients. Many of our people knew Martin, but he’s no longer in the company. We’ve moved on. The business is running, we’re partnering with clients, we’re pitching. We’re moving ahead.

How have clients responded?

As long as their teams are motivated, secure and doing great work, clients are absolutely fine. They know we’re getting on with running the business and helping them win in a competitive marketplace.

Read full Q&A at AdExchanger.