DETROIT--()--Fulfilling a succession plan that was first developed in 2003, Campbell-Ewald today announced that longtime Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tony Hopp is retiring at the end of the year, and that current Vice Chairman and Chief Creative and Strategic Officer Bill Ludwig will be promoted to succeed him as the company’s top executive. Hopp, who turns 65 in January, is a visionary leader who, in his 13 years as Chairman and CEO, significantly diversified Campbell-Ewald’s client roster and expanded the agency’s offerings in digital and social media, direct marketing and analytics, and has agreed to serve the new leadership team as a senior advisor through 2013.
“Tony has built an inspired culture on one philosophy: Focus on great work and the rewards will follow”
"Since we first began discussing a succession plan more than six years ago, I have been unwavering in my belief that Bill Ludwig is the right person to lead our company,” said Hopp. “He is an incredibly strong executive and leader. He establishes deep relationships with every client he touches. It’s not just that he is creative and strategic – he is a true visionary who understands consumer engagement in today’s environment in a way that helps our clients solve problems and grow their businesses.”
As Chairman and CEO of Campbell-Ewald, Ludwig will lead the agency’s efforts on behalf of an array of marquee brands, including Alltel Wireless, Carrier, Chevrolet, General Motors, Ghirardelli, Kaiser Permanente, Match.com, NEC, Medtronic, National Fatherhood Initiative, Olympic Paints and Stains, OnStar, USAA, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Mint, the United States Navy, the United States Postal Service and Wyndham Worldwide.
“Our people are our crown jewels,” Hopp said. “My commitment to our clients and our employees has always been to ensure that we have the best talent in the industry and that we organize that talent around a vision that places us on the front edge of consumer engagement.
“Over the past several years Bill has played a key role on our management council as we have taken Campbell-Ewald to a preeminent position in consumer engagement. We are successfully helping our clients reach their target audiences by combining our prowess in digital communications and direct marketing with an emphasis on sharp analytics and customer relationship management. And of course we always maintain our traditional focus and core strength of building and maintaining client partnerships. With Bill and his team Campbell-Ewald is well positioned for the future.”
Ludwig, who joined Campbell-Ewald in 1984, has most recently led the agency’s internationally recognized, award-winning creative staff of more than 450 talented professionals in Detroit and Los Angeles. Best known for his award-winning work on Chevrolet, he has additionally created winning campaigns for dozens of clients including Alltel, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, Borders, DIRECTV, Ghirardelli, Kaiser Permanente, Michelin and Pier 1. In 1994 Ludwig was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Advertising Hall of Achievement. In 1999, he served as a Cannes juror. He is a member of the Wall Street Journal’s Creative Leaders and serves on the Ad Council.
“Tony Hopp is a legendary figure at Campbell-Ewald who has made a profound impact on the advertising industry,” said Michael Roth, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Interpublic Group. “In addition to being an award-winning ad executive, he is an unparalleled leader whose legacy will include this transition process. He has invested in Bill and the rest of the senior leadership team in a way that has positioned Campbell-Ewald for continued success and growth in the future. He assembled an incredibly talented team that, thanks to his mentorship, is now ready to lead the company. We are extremely fortunate to have Tony’s continued guidance and wisdom for the next four years.”
Hopp will serve as a Campbell-Ewald senior advisor as a part-time employee through 2013. He will offer counsel on a number of areas, including finances, business planning, strategy and problem solving for key clients.
“Tony has built an inspired culture on one philosophy: Focus on great work and the rewards will follow,” said Bill Ludwig, Vice Chairman and Chief Creative and Strategic Officer. “This announcement recognizes the importance we have always placed on the depth of our strategic knowledge and creative excellence in all forms of communications. Our mission will be to understand the conversations that surround brands better than anyone; and to build content that engages the consumer and changes the conversations to create fans of the brand and endorsers of the product.”
Ludwig’s senior leadership team and members of the Campbell-Ewald Board of Directors also includes:
- Joe Naporano – Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
- Jim Palmer – Vice Chairman, Chief Client Officer
- Mike Ryan – Vice Chairman, General Motors
- Kathleen Donald – President, Managing Director
- Mark Bellissimo – President, Managing Director
- Mark Simon – Executive Vice President and Executive Creative Director
- Tim Copacia - Executive Vice President, Director of Customer Insights & Engagement
- Tracie Reihm – Executive Vice President, Managing Director
About Campbell-Ewald
Campbell-Ewald is one of the nation's largest advertising and digital communications agencies, with more than 1,100 employees and offices in Detroit, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York, and Washington, D.C. A part of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG), Campbell-Ewald partners with a score of national brands, including Alltel Wireless, Carrier, Chevrolet, General Motors, Ghirardelli, Kaiser Permanente, Match.com, NEC, Medtronic, National Fatherhood Initiative, Olympic Paints and Stains, OnStar, USAA, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Mint, the United States Navy, the United States Postal Service and Wyndham Worldwide.
For more information on Campbell-Ewald, visit www.campbell-ewald.com.
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