Michael Zhang leaves MediaCom to head GroupM China Strategy

After more than eight years as head of MediaCom China, Michael Zhang (pictured) will be stepping into a new role with GroupM China as Chief Strategy Officer, starting 1 October.Reporting to Patrick Xu, CEO of GroupM China, Zhang will focus on the development and implementation of a new business model to expand the Group’s business relationships and alliances in China, further diversifying the considerable client base across the four agency brands within the GroupM stable. The search for the right candidate to replace Michael is underway and will be announced soon. In the interim period, Mark Heap, CEO MediaCom APAC, will be taking on the role of Acting CEO, MediaCom China. “Michael has built a first class team at MediaCom China and achieved significant success both on a personal and company level," said Mark Heap, CEO of MediaCom Asia Pacific. "Michael felt the time was right for a new CEO to lead MediaCom through its next phase of growth and we are working very hard on identifying a candidate who can build on the great work and foundation that Michael has created,” he added. Zhang was appointed President, MediaCom China, in January 2006 and has been responsible for the agency’s strategic development, operations and exceptional growth. Under his stewardship, MediaCom have risen in scale to become the 4th largest agency (RECMA), investing more than $2.5b of media per year. In addition, he has overseen an excellent record of outstanding work, recognized with more than 100 industry awards at home and abroad.