RPM3 is undergoing a major management restructure in the wake of
its second-largest client, Somerfield, calling a review of its creative
business (Campaign, last week).
The agency has fired its creative director and founding partner, Rupert
Sutton, and the roles of the four remaining partners are also set to
change - with the managing director, Paul Cowan, taking control of the
main agency.
Martin Butler, currently joint chief executive, will become group
chairman with responsibility for overseeing the agency’s subsidiaries:
the relationship marketing company, TSM; its below-the-line production
arm, Duck; and its trade marketing company, Covney Butler.
Matthew Lutos, also a joint chief executive, will lead a drive to bring
in business from overseas clients.
However, he will continue to run RPM3’s flagship Mitsubishi account,
which is its largest task with billings of more than pounds 15
million.
Maggie Taylor, its planning partner, is stepping down to work as a
planner.
The agency is expected to announce a new head of planning very
shortly.
It has also briefed headhunters to find a creative director to replace
Sutton, who was ousted last week following a series of disagreements
over the creative direction of the agency.
Until an appointment is made, the agency’s joint creative directors, Tim
Johnson and Russell Wailes, have taken control of the creative
department.
Some redundancies have also occurred as part of the restructuring,
mainly among junior members of staff.
Cowan is also believed to be restructuring the agency’s account
management procedures and possibly appointing a new head of account
management, although he declined to confirm or deny the proposed
change.
Cowan said: ’RPM3 has tremendous potential, great clients and
wonderfully talented people. This restructure is about releasing our
potential and creating a great agency for the future.’
