Carat Names Zoja Paskaljevic EVP for GM Europe Team

Carat, the leading global media network, has appointed former DAVINCI and CIA Germany President Zoja Paskaljevic as Executive Vice President, (Head of Operations) for General Motors Europe in Germany.

Zoja will lead and direct all of the Dentsu Aegis business with GM Europe, covering brands such as Opel, Chevrolet and Cadillac. He will be joined by Luc Samama, currently Managing Partner at MEC, who will become Regional Head of Communications Planning, GM Europe, in August 2014.

Zoja Paskaljevic, Head of Operations (GM Europe), Carat Global, said: “I am very excited to be joining Carat. As a company, and the wider Dentsu Aegis Network, is driven by innovation, and is successfully negotiating the changing media market as it responds to shifting consumer behaviour. I’m looking forward to delivering ground-breaking, holistic campaigns that expand beyond media and into new communications platforms for some of the world’s most iconic automobile brands.”

With a team of over 130 across Europe, Zoja will be responsible for innovation, performance and productivity. He takes up his new post on June 2nd 2014, following two years at _wige MEDIA, where he oversaw multiplatform content distribution, media rights management, branded content and TVC production for clients including VW, Mercedes-Benz, RedBull, Allianz and DTM (European Motor Sport Series).

Zoja has over 30 years’ experience in European and international media markets, having founded and run two of Germany’s largest agencies, DAVINCI and CIA (now MEC) and pioneered digital media integration for clients ranging from Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep, BRAUN, Gillette and media innovation  for Nike and Calvin Klein.

Luc Samama, Regional Head of Communications Planning (GM Europe), Carat Global, said: ”I am very much looking forward to be working together with Zoja and Alex Crowther again. We had a solid and successful working relationship for almost 10 years when steering the global media for Daimler AG and Chrysler Group brands. The General Motors brands – and especially Opel – are running through a rapid development, and Carat continues to make a considerable contribution.”

Luc is an expert in international media. He spent most of his career on the media agency side, managing international teams for blue chip clients like Henkel, Daimler and DHL. He also has media owner experience, from his time at TimeWarner Inc.

Luc has a track record for developing client-specific, future-proof tools and processes, as well as building client-centric international teams across locations. This approach and together with these teams he has consistently delivered high-quality, content-led digital comms and media strategies for his clients. During his tenure at MEC, it enabled him to unify and substantially grow the Düsseldorf-based Global Solutions business.

Alex Crowther, GM Client President, Carat Global, said: “Zoja and Luc bring a wealth of experience – in media and agency operations but also in branded content and platforms – that will help us continue to deliver world-class work for General Motors that redefines media.”