We are proud to announce the promotions of both Manning Gottlieb OMD’s Natalie Bell and OMD UK’s Laura Fenton into the roles of CEO of their respective agencies, from their current roles as managing directors.
Natalie joined Manning Gottlieb OMD in 2008 and become managing director in 2015. She has led client growth, including retaining the Estée Lauder Companies account earlier this year, and helped the agency win awards, including Campaign‘s UK Media Agency of the Year twice in a row and, in 2020, Campaign’s Global Media Agency of the Year.
Laura has worked at Omnicom Media Group for the past 16 years, all within OMD UK except for a three-year stint as client services director at Drum. She became a managing partner in 2017 and managing director the following year. During her leadership, Laura has rolled out a progressive client-centric operating model, helped OMD UK become the most-shortlisted agency at this year’s Media Week Awards and recently landed the £60m Lidl buying business to add to the existing strategy and planning contract.
Omnicom Media Group UK CEO Dan Clays said of the promotions: “Natalie is immensely trusted by clients, unwaveringly committed to the agency’s talent and inclusive culture, brings deep digital experience and has a progressive vision for how agencies need to evolve. Natalie’s promotion reinforces the leadership continuity MG is recognised for, but it will bring even greater future focus for clients.
Laura is a class act who has shown extraordinary leadership as managing director this year and is held in the highest regard by her clients and everyone at OMD UK. To start out on the OMD entrance scheme and progress through to CEO is inspiring for everyone. Laura becoming CEO is hugely deserved but also signals the ambition, energy and momentum the agency has going in to 2021.”
Speaking on their promotions, Natalie added: “MG OMD is a very special agency and it’s an honour to lead it, especially at such a pivotal time for the whole industry. I’m very proud of our agency’s ability to adapt and deliver outstanding results for our clients, coupled with such commitment to our values and culture.”
Laura said: “We have an amazing set of clients and world-class people who are passionate about doing highly creative and progressive work. Agencies must continually evolve and I’m excited to lead OMD through the next chapter.”
Both promotions have been reported by Campaign here and here.
