Makati – Barely a month after GroupM hired Meckoy Quiogue as group managing partner, CEO Mitos Borromeo unexpectedly quit last April 29, citing health reasons. Quiogue was asked to take over until the media agency network can decide on a proper succession.


Country leader since 2004, Borromeo was briefly hospitalized last week and later diagnosed as suffering from stress and exhaustion. She tendered her resignation and on doctors’ recommendation, took a complete and indefinite break from work. 


GroupM Asia Pacific CEO Mark Patterson said, "Mitos feels that the demands and requirements of her role and the impact it is having on her require her to step down immediately. I admire and respect that decision and we will give her all the support she needs in the immediate future to ensure her well being and future health."


Quiogue is on holiday in the US, but Patterson commented, "Given Meckoy’s seniority, experience and and regard as a businessman and leader in the Philippines media industry, I have naturally asked Meckoy to assume the role of GroupM CEO in an interim capacity while we consider the future together and discuss our strategy going forward in more detail."


Patterson went on to say, "Mitos has been with our company since 2004 and in that time, our business has changed dramatically under her guidance and leadership and is now very well positioned for further growth and development in the market. She has built a strong and smart team, and I would like to thank her for all her energy, passion and commitment over the years. I am only sorry that it has to an extent taken its toll on her which I think though demonstrates the whole hearted way she has gone about her responsibilities.”
Whatever triggered her physical breakdown at GroupM remains unclear, but Borromeo told adobo, “As I told the AdBoard, six years [at GroupM] and four Media AOY’s is exhausting!”
