Rapp CEO Gabrielle Ludzker has left the agency in the wake of Omnicom’s takeover of IPG, after 16 years with the parent group, with the defiant rallying cry of “if you are looking for a people-centric, change-making leader, give me a call!”
Ludzker started her career at FullSix UK in 2003, switching to Proximity’s Paris office in 2009. By 2012, she had joined Proximity London as deputy managing director and became managing director just over a year later.
By 2016, she had taken up the top role of CEO as the late Mike Dodds expanded his responsibilities to become the agency’s first ever European MD. At the time, Ludzker had been core to Proximity’s new business team which had secured 19 pitch wins in the previous 14 months.
By 2020, Omnicom decided to merge Proximity London with Rapp, the UK business was initially led by Rapp CEO Chris Freeland, who became executive chair, although Ludzker was effectively still in charge of the agency on a day-to-day basis.
Freeland stepped down last year, giving Ludzker complete control of the business.
During her time with the group, she worked on a host of high-profile brands, including the BBC, Barclays, B&Q, Costa, Ikea, KFC, Moneysupermarket, Specsavers, P&G, Mondelez, Mercedez-Benz, and Ralph Lauren among others. She introduced a raft of initiatives including the Schools Out Scheme, Table Makers and Rapp Rise.
On LinkedIn Ludzker said: “When I walked through the doors 16 years ago, I never imagined the journey ahead; merging two agencies during a pandemic to double the size of the business, and building what is now the most successful Precision Marketing Agency in town.
“I’m so proud of the culture we created together. From those dreamy days at Proximity, being named number one best place to work, to Rapp earning agency of the year the last three years running (and me… agency leader the last two) – I am truly leaving on a high.”
“But the highlight beyond all, has been working with the most talented, innovative, kind and loyal humans in the industry. You have made me a better leader and given me the career of dreams. Not many people love what they do as much as me, and it’s all down to you!
“Hundreds of people I couldn’t even attempt to tag but each with a place in my heart and a brilliantly funny or epic success story that will bond us forever. Thank you to every colleague, client, and partner who made this journey unforgettable.
“So onwards! If you are looking for a people-centric, change-making leader, give me a call!”
It is understood that Ludzker’s responsibilities have been absorbed by the Rapp Worldwide senior leadership team, which is headed by global CEO Jeannine Falcone.
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