Stephen Allan joined The Media Business (TMB) at the age of 18, and as its MD, helped grow TMB to become one of the UK's largest independent media agencies before it was merged with MediaCom in 1999. Under Allan as CEO, the merged MediaCom TMB agency quadrupled its billings in only five years, and became the number one agency in the UK market.
In addition to his UK role, Allan also served as vice chairman of MediaCom Worldwide from 2003 until 2005. After MediaCom was purchased by WPP in 2005 and became part of WPP's media investment management operation, GroupM, he was named CEO of GroupM UK. In this position, he was responsible for managing the UK's largest agency group, including MediaCom and sister agencies Mediaedge:cia and MindShare.
Irwin Gotlieb, CEO of GroupM, stated: “Stephen has invested his heart in the MediaCom and GroupM networks over the years. When the opportunity came up for him to continue shaping and growing the business in a significant, potent manner, he jumped at the chance. We are thrilled to have won Steve as CEO for MediaCom globally.”
Commented Alexander Schmidt-Vogel: “When MediaCom acquired TMB in the UK back in 1999, the TMB management was one of the best reasons for the acquisition. I considered this one of the best management teams in the world, and knew that this management would strongly lead our UK organisation in the future. My dream, even back then, was that Stephen Allan would one day take over the leadership of MediaCom Worldwide. I am wholeheartedly glad that he is now ready to do so.”
In turn, Allan said: “All of us at MediaCom owe a huge debt of thanks to Alexander. His vision and leadership transformed us into a truly global media agency. Like Alexander, MediaCom is in my blood, and I am relishing the opportunity to further unlock the potential of our business. There are so many talented people inside our network and I really do believe, that for MediaCom, the ‘best is yet to come'.”
The management handover will be effective immediately. Allan will be based in London.
