As of 31 July, VML is abolishing the structure of two CEOs and from 1 August, Iva Welker, the current CEO of Local Business, will take over as CEO of VML Czech Republic. Bronislav Kvasnička, who held the position of CEO of Global Business, is leaving the agency. With this change, the agency is moving away from managing the business by geography and will develop it on both the global and local markets in a unified approach across specializations, from creative and strategy to marketing technology, with a focus on CRM and artificial intelligence.
The abolition of double management of the business regarding its local and global nature is the next step in the local integration plan following the global merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson under the VML brand. The aim is for the agency to be able to make the best use of its expertise, to respond nimbly to client needs and for its structure to reflect the current needs of the business as well as changes and developments in the market in general.
"I would like to thank Broněk very much for his work for several years for both Wunderman Thompson and VML. He is a great professional who has dedicated a part of his professional life and passion to the agency, and I wish him all the best in his future career path," says David Lhota, Country Manager WPP Czech Republic, adding: "At the same time, I wish Iva a lot of energy in developing VML as the largest communications agency on the market. Iva can lean on a team of experienced professionals, who will be joined by the new Chief Creative Officer, the internationally renowned Jake Barrow, during August."
In managing the global business, Iva Welker will rely on her many years of experience with international clients as well as personal contacts in the global and regional management of the WPP parent network and its subsidiaries and agencies.
"We are aware that corporate integration requires many months of intensive work and continuous fine-tuning on many levels. That's why we approach the whole process with great respect. Specifically in the Czech market, we have the advantage of being able to draw on the relatively fresh experience of integrating Young & Rubicam and Geometry in 2020 and build on what has worked before," says Iva Welker, newly appointed CEO of VML Czech Republic, adding: "I very much appreciate the trust shown. We are now well on our way to bringing the integration to a successful conclusion, including all operational and technical setups, strengthening client relationships and preparing for the development of new business across expertise."
The integration process started within each market according to local integration plans in January this year, the merger of the two agencies VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson was announced globally by the parent company WPP last October.
