Publicis New York Promotes Strategy Veteran Carla Serrano To CEO

Publicis Worldwide New York promotes Carla Serrano to CEO, effective immediately, according to North America CEO Andrew Bruce. The move is significant, positioning clients versus operations, at the center of all agency activities. Publicis is leading the changing agency-management landscape, embracing and placing a premium on the core leadership values of strategic rigor, creative prowess and business acumen. Serrano joined Publicis Worldwide North America in 2014 as Chief Strategy Officer, and is a member of the Publicis Worldwide Comex leadership team.

 

Bruce commented, "The passion for what we make, the determination to work in lock-step with clients, and the collaborative spirit and willingness to jump in anywhere, at any time, are the hallmark’s of today’s most magnetic and effective leaders. All are attributes of abundance when describing Carla. Elevating Carla’s role will ensure greater access and influence, which will serve to accelerate our ambitions and fuel our on-going transformation."

 

Serrano will report directly to Bruce, who has held the position, along with CEO North America, for the past two years. Bruce has been building a North America leadership team, and Serrano was the natural leader for New York. She will partner with Andy Bird, Chief Creative Officer, New York; Dawn Winchester Chief Digital Officer, North America and Nathalie Fagnan Chief Operating Officer, North America.

 

Throughout Serrano’s career, she has assumed a combination of strategic leadership and agency management roles. Before arriving at Publicis, she held positions such as CEO of Naked NA, CSO at TBWA Chiat/Day NY and President of Berlin Cameron and Partners. Serrano has worked with some of the most enviable iconic brands including Coca-Cola, Apple, Samsung, Cadillac, and Citibank, among others.

 

Serrano stated, “I am thrilled to be leading a transformative agency, in such a transformative time. Problem-solving and strategic planning will always be part of my DNA. As I look at our industry today, and at the types of challenges our clients face, I deeply believe that leadership founded on strategic skill-sets will be a great advantage.”