THE PHILIPPINES, APRIL 18, 2012: McCann Worldgroup’s (MWG) Philippines president and chief operating officer Nandy Villar will leave the company after a 20-year tenure to pursue a new career in broadcasting with ABS-CBN effective June 30.
Villar’s position will not be filled, according to Charles Cadell, MWG Asia Pacific president. Instead, Raul Castro, executive chairman and chief creative officer of MWG, will work closely with the existing Worldgroup leadership to ensure a seamless transition.
An ABS-CBN source said the broadcaster had yet to finalize Villar’s position.
Cadell meanwhile paid tribute to Villar, saying: “The decision to depart the industry was a decision Nandy has made of his own accord.
“Nandy’s 20-year journey at McCann is achievement-laden. He has contributed much to the business and the industry, which witnessed his rise from a young talent into a resolute leader. His passion and tireless energy has been a driving force within our industry in the Philippines.”
Villar is the latest senior management executive to leave Worldgroup Philippines in the last few months. Last year saw the sudden departure of Dino Laurena, an 18-year veteran of the agency who replaced Venus Navalta in 2009 as head of the agency’s media arm Universal McCann.
Universal not only suffered two key staff losses in recent months but also saw a major account, Globe Telecom decamp to ZenithOptimedia Group after a competitive review.
Villar leaves the group on a high note. The agency has been involved in groundbreaking work for Coca-Cola, which is marking its centennial in the Philippines this year. The ‘OFW Project’ launched last year-end went viral around the world while the ‘Living Billboard’ initiative has been an award magnet. Last year, the local office was also named the network’s best performing agency in the region having met its creative, revenue and profit targets.
Villar’s McCann-Erickson tenure began in 1992 as an account executive, rising to become its managing director in 2006. Prior to that he also served as MWG chief strategy officer and was responsible for setting up what many clients consider the best planning group in the industry. In 2011 – following the retirement of MWG chairman and CEO Patricia Arches after 24 years – MWG handed its leadership roles to then managing director Villar and chief creative officer Raul Castro.
Meanwhile, the group has named Bruce Oltchik technical director of Universal McCann, effective May 1, to bring a greater digital focus to the agency and diversify its product offerings.
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Oltchick joins from BAO Consulting-Asia Pacific, a Hong Kong-based consultancy involved in research, media, and branding solutions. Oltchick previously served as executive vice president for advertising sales, distribution, research and marketing at Star Group Asia Pacific, and at Grey Global Group, where he established the strategic planning department.
While Oltchick’s experience is not in traditional media, the appointment is expected to see him to bring a fresh perspective to the media arm.
“There is already an exceptional team in Manila and I look forward to bringing my expertise and leadership to the region. It’s an important role and one where I plan to leverage my previous experience in order to drive new business and grow the agency,” Oltchick said.
Oltchick reports to Castro and to Prashant Kumar, president of IPG Mediabrands, World Markets Asia.
