VMLY&R Announces EMEA Executive Leadership Team

VMLY&R has announced its EMEA executive leadership team with Andrew Dimitriou appointed Chief Executive Officer of EMEA (previously President). Dimitriou and the newly assembled team will be responsible for growing the agency’s capabilities, its key client partner relationships and connecting the network across disciplines in the region. 

Dimitriou brings more than 20 years of industry experience, helping to transform global businesses and leading cross-disciplinary teams for the likes of Colgate and Xerox. EMEA is one of VMLY&R’s fastest growing regions - 35 new business wins in the last six months, and a projected 5% headcount growth – and is led by a team of market and capability leaders. 

EMEA EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM 

Andrew Dimitriou, Chief Executive Officer, EMEA 

Jamie Mandelbaum, Chief Creative Officer, EMEA 

Saul Betmead, Chief Strategy Officer, EMEA 

Chris Wood, Chief Integration Officer, Europe 

Ann French, MD, Business Solutions, EMEA 

Dariusz Andrian, Chief Executive Officer, VMLY&R Poland 

Cecile Lejeune, Chief Executive Officer, VMLY&R France 

Simona Maggini, Chief Executive Officer, VMLY&R Italy 

Justin Pahl, Chief Executive Officer, VMLY&R UK

Natalia Romanenko, Chief Executive Officer, VMLY&R Russia 

Arzu Unal, Chief Executive Officer, VMLY&R Turkey 

The EMEA Executive Leadership Team will drive strategic changes in regional operations, starting with the launch of three Centres of Excellence (CoE) that will enable the agency to support evolving client needs and digital transformation capabilities. 

The CoE will offer client partners deep technological expertise and accelerated access to a scalable set of capabilities across Customer Experience, Technology, Data & Analytics, Content, and much more. They will closely collaborate with the region’s network of local experts to offer best-in-class practices and expertise at scale. 

The CoE will play a critical role in differentiating VMLY&R’s integrated offerings at the intersection of technology, creativity and culture to create connected brands. 

Jon Cook, Global CEO, VMLY&R said: "I’m excited to have Andrew and this executive leadership team lead our agency growth in EMEA. Our ambition globally is to deliver a fully-integrated offering and to be an invaluable partner to our clients. I believe that our newly appointed leadership team and Centres of Excellence structure set us up for success in the EMEA region.” 

Andrew Dimitriou, CEO EMEA VMLY&R, said: “With this infusion of talent, capabilities and markets, we are creating the most relevant marketing company in the region.” 

“For example, we’ve been working with Lavazza for five years, and they have expanded their relationship with us due to the capabilities of our new Technology Centre of Excellence. The teams in Milan and Poland are now enabled to deliver connected consumer experiences that embed the brand in people’s lives and drive Lavazza’s strategic business priorities” he added. 

Illustrating the breadth and depth of its offering, the agency recently launched campaigns such as THINK!’s Road Whisperer targeting new drivers, The Real Italian coffee for Lavazza taking the real Italian coffee brand around the world and the “Twój Weekend” Women Issue in partnership with Gazeta.pl using an erotic magazine to raise awareness of sexual education and gender equality.