Josh Krichefski Promoted to MediaCom UK & Ireland CEO

MediaCom has today announced key changes within its UK leadership team, effective 1 January 2016. Jane Ratcliffe is being promoted into a regional role as VP and Chairman of MediaCom Sport, EMEA. Karen Blackett is being promoted into the role of UK Chairman and Josh Krichefski is being promoted to the UK CEO role.

Josh, a MediaCom veteran since 2011, joined MediaCom as EMEA COO. He then moved to work as UK COO to help take the agency through its recent transformation into the “Content and Connections Agency”, which has seen MediaCom named Campaign agency of the year two years in a row.

Krichefski has a proven track record in building successful media agencies. Josh has worked in a variety of client facing and specialist roles in both the UK and internationally during his 18 year career including the following:  Initiative Media, St. Lukes, Havas and also starting his own digital agency, K-word. 

As CEO of MediaCom he will take charge of the agency’s running and management, ensuring MediaCom clients benefit from the best that the industry has to offer, attracting and retaining talent, bolstering new business and leading key client relationships, and ultimately retaining the agency’s number 1 position.  Josh will continue to be supported by the existing senior management team within the UK and will ensure there is a smooth transition of responsibilities over the coming months.

Jane Ratcliffe’s focus in her new role will be to continue to expand her leadership of both MediaCom Sport and KR across EMEA. Jane will also share her expansive experience across EMEA to the benefit of MediaCom clients. Jane will report into Nick Lawson EMEA CEO.

Karen Blackett, CEO since 2011, will support Josh on the development of the UK business into 2016 and beyond and will continue her leadership role on key clients.  Karen will also work with the wider WPP network to ensure that MediaCom UK brings to bear all the great specialisms within the group.

Speaking of his appointment, Josh Krichefski said, “Having worked alongside Karen since 2011 I’m very excited to be taking on the role of CEO and to have the further opportunity of shaping the future of the leading agency in the UK. I am most excited about further developing our people first culture and taking our creativity and partnerships with clients and media owners to new heights”

Nick Lawson, MediaCom EMEA CEO, said, “We are delighted that once again we can demonstrate MediaCom’s commitment to retaining and promoting some of the best talent our industry has to offer. Retaining the huge wealth of experience and knowledge that Karen, Josh and Jane collectively have between them will certainly set the UK agency up for continued growth and success for the benefit of our clients and our people. Josh’s appointment will build on the great work achieved by Karen to ensure MediaCom remains market leader in providing our teams, clients and partners with the highest level of creativity, planning and innovation.” 

All three promotions will continue to strengthen the UK businesses across London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Dublin offices.