Burson-Marsteller is shaking up its top ranks as global chief
executive and president, Tom Bell, leaves to become worldwide head of
Young and Rubicam Advertising, a sister agency to B-M within the Y&R
group.
Chris Komisarjevsky, who currently heads both B-M’s US operation and its
global corporate practice, is stepping up to fill Bell’s post as
worldwide CEO.
Don Cogman, B-M’s chief operating officer, will add to his role of
president, acting as Komisarjevsky’s right-hand man.
Komisarjevsky, 53, has held his current posts for three years and is
expected to be replaced shortly. In the meantime, Cogman will assume his
responsibilities. Before joining B-M, Komisarjevsky was head of Gavin
Anderson and Company in the US. He previously spent 20 years at Hill and
Knowlton, where he headed the agency’s Europe, Middle East and Africa
operations.
As well as leading B-M worldwide since 1995, Bell was last year
appointed as head of Y&R’s Diversified Communications Group, which
includes B-M and Cohn and Wolfe. B-M chairman Graham Phillips takes over
from Bell in this role.
During his career at B-M, Bell, 48, has handled its change to a European
practice structure and the flotation of its parent group Y&R. At Y&R
Advertising, he replaces Ed Vick, now Y&R group chief operating officer,
whom Bell will report to.
