EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

Publicis Groupe announces new COO appointment to its EMEA team

By our News Team | 2023

Demet Ikiler, described as ‘one of the most progressive leaders of the industry’, moves after two decades with rival group WPP.

Publicis Groupe, the French-based multinational advertising and public relations company, has announced a senior executive appointment to its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) team.

Demet Ikiler is the new Chief Operating Officer of Publicis EMEA, in a bid to bring what the company says is a new dynamic of leadership to the region.

Photo credit: Publicis Groupe

She joins after spending more than 20 years at rival company WPP, where she was a member of GroupM’s global leadership team as CEO of GroupM EMEA and WPP Country chair, responsible for “scaling and delivering more innovative cross-culture solutions for clients”.

UK-based WPP owns the likes of GroupM, Ogilvy, Wunderman Thompson, VMLY&R, and Grey Group.

A graduate of Istanbul University, Ikiler is described in her LinkedIn profile as “a powerhouse of the Turkish communications scene collaborating with leading local and global brands”.

Powerful female CEO with many accolades

“Considered the undisputed doyenne of the sector, Demet has been listed in the top 10 most powerful female CEOs in Turkey for the last five years, amongst numerous other similar accolades,” the profile says.

Reporting to Publicis CEO EMEA, Loris Nold, Ikiler will focus on creating a joined-up and collaborative EMEA region, ‘strengthening connectivity and scaling expertise’ and capabilities for clients and opportunities for talent.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome such an outstanding leader and inspiring person as Demet to the Publicis family,” Nold said.

“I have been hoping to partner with her for years and cannot envisage a better way to take on our greater ambition for the EMEA region.

“She brings the unique combination of a proven track record in leading clients and operations at scale, as one of the most progressive leaders of the industry, with a thorough understanding of the EMEA ecosystem as well as a passion for equality, diversity and inclusion.”

Publicis Groupe Africa operates from Johannesburg and is also a stakeholder in upwards of 60 agencies across the African continent.

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