Press release from GroupM, Dec. 12, 2018:

GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, has named Tim Castree North America CEO. Castree remains a member of GroupM’s global executive committee and will continue his work with the Wavemaker leadership team to deliver their operating plan while the search for a new global Wavemaker leader is conducted.

Once his transition to the North America role is complete, Castree will be charged with further improving the competitiveness of the business and delivery to clients in the US and Canada. GroupM’s agencies include Mindshare, MediaCom, Wavemaker, Essence, m/Six and Xaxis. Reporting to GroupM’s Global CEO, Kelly Clark, Castree is now responsible for strategy and operations in two of the world’s largest advertising markets.

In late 2017 he was named global CEO of a new agency built from the merger of MEC and Maxus, now Wavemaker.

In its first transitional year, Wavemaker added important new clients including Danone and Adobe in the US, and Mondelez in 20 markets.  In addition to Castree’s leadership of Wavemaker, this year he also helped lead a group-wide team focused on transforming the performance of GroupM’s business in the US, a geographic priority for both GroupM and WPP.

“Tim sprinted into our company, creating a strong vision and structure for Wavemaker,” said Kelly Clark, global CEO. “His focus on client growth led to the creation of a new global agency and inspired group-wide collaboration in a number of important areas. I’ve enjoyed working closely with Tim over the last two years. I know he will help us unlock the significant opportunities we see in the US and Canada, while we work with the Wavemaker leadership team to continue the agency’s growth.”

Castree’s experience spans more than 20 years in creative, media and digital agencies, including leading blue-chip global advertiser partnerships. Before joining GroupM, he was Managing Director of Videology in North America, US Chief Operating Officer for Publicis Group’s MediaVest, and Global Managing Director for Starcom MediaVest. His career began with Leo Burnett in Melbourne and he subsequently worked at FCB, Ogilvy and BBH.

“Media has never been more dynamic and demanding. After its first formative year, Wavemaker is in a strong position and delivering on its promise of growth for brands, so this is a good time to take on a new challenge which I’m hugely excited about,” said Castree. “The US and Canada are incredibly important markets for our clients, and for GroupM and WPP. I’m looking forward to working even more closely with the leaders across our agencies to expand our collaboration and give clients the expertise, simplicity, innovation and performance they need in a fast-changing marketplace.”

Castree remains based in New York.