Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Appoints Nick May as Its President of Europe

Business Wire, Feb 28, 2000

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 1999

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide today announced the appointment of Nick May as President of its European operations, effective early April. Mr. May will become part of Ogilvy's Executive Committee and will be located in the firm's London office at Canary Wharf. He will report directly to Bob Seltzer, Ogilvy PR's President and CEO. Ogilvy PR's 11 European offices are located in Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Prague, Seville, Stockholm and Vienna.

Mr. May, a 26 year-public relations veteran, comes to Ogilvy PR from Edelman Public Relations, where he was global director of Healthcare for the past two years. He built one of firm's biggest practices and managed global relationships for clients including Merck, AstraZeneca, Pharmacia & Upjohn and Procter & Gamble. Prior to joining Edelman in 1998, he was with Burson-Marsteller for seven years and served as its European Director of Healthcare from 1996 to 1998.

"We have very aggressive growth goals for Europe and the appointment of Nick is key to sustaining our growth into new countries, acquiring specialty firms that can augment our offering and serve an ever increasing global client base. Ogilvy PR doubled in size from 1997 to 1999, generating more than $124 million in revenues last year," said Mr. Seltzer. "We are thrilled to have someone of Nick's caliber, experience and dedication to lead our operations in Europe. Our clients and senior management will benefit hugely from his experience and knowledge in the healthcare industry, corporate reputation and crisis communications. He brings proven leadership in building and managing successful pan-European and global accounts. His team-building style will work well within the Ogilvy PR culture."

For Mr. May the job is an opportunity to broaden his responsibilities at a time of rapid growth for Ogilvy PR Europe. During 1999, Ogilvy PR acquired and integrated Magellan Communications, a UK Healthcare PR specialist firm and Sector, a corporate and financial communications agency, into its UK operations. He will also work closely with WPP sister companies, which include Ogilvy & Mather, CommonHealth, Ogilvy Interactive and OgilvyOne to provide clients with integrated marketing communications solutions.

"I was particularly struck by Bob Seltzer's and the management team's vision and growth strategy, as well as its commitment to employee retention and attracting strong new talent," said Mr. May. "They focus heavily on creating a culture and an environment that fosters creativity, strategic thinking and knowledge-sharing. Ogilvy's emphasis and commitment to employees has enabled it to grow quickly and integrate leading entrepreneurial and creative agencies into its organization. Ogilvy shares my philosophy that a great agency starts with a culture of smart, motivated people dedicated to providing the highest quality in client service," added Mr. May.

In the last ten years Mr. May has held senior positions in the international healthcare PR sector. He is a specialist in marketing communications, issues/crisis management and corporate communications; as well as all phases of product development, launch, post launch and line extensions. Mr. May co-chairs the annual Economist International Healthcare Conference, held in London in May. Prior to joining Burson-Marstellar in 1981, Mr. May spent 17 years with Pfizer in various sales and marketing positions. Mr. May fills a position which was previously held by Paul Philpotts, who left the firm earlier this year.

About Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide is a leading international communications firm with specialty practices in health and medical, marketing, technology, corporate communications and public affairs. Headquartered in New York, Ogilvy PR partners with clients across the world from its 45 offices in 39 markets across the United States, Europe and Asia and through affiliate relationships worldwide as part of the WPP Group, one the world's largest marketing communications companies. The firm includes three wholly owned subsidiaries: Alexander Ogilvy (technology), BWR (entertainment) and Feinstein Kean Healthcare (healthcare and biotechnology). Ogilvy PR's web site is located as www.ogilvypr.com.