Marco Scognamiglio sworn in as Rapp global boss

Rapp has confirmed the appointment of Marco Scognamiglio as global chief executive of the Omnicom agency, six months after he was handed the role on an interim basis following the exit of the Alexei Orlov.
Scognamiglio, who joined Rapp from Proximity London in 1999 as client director, was promoted to managing director of the agency’s Edinburgh office two years later. He returned in 2004 to head up the London business as managing director and was promoted to CEO of Rapp UK in 2009.
Last year, Scognamiglio was promoted once more, to build the Rapp network in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Chairman and CEO of Omnicom’s DAS agency division Dale Adams said: “Taking into account his many years of experience leading the Rapp network in various markets across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, Marco is the right person to have at the helm of the agency to drive and deliver on the organization’s strategy.
“I’m confident that Marco will continue to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of Rapp’s diverse client base.”
Scognamiglio added: “My priorities and focus will be on our client work and on our people. I look forward to strengthening and expanding the organisation’s client portfolio, and advancing a strategy that creates meaningful and enduring commercial value for our clients and their customers into 2017 and beyond.”
Rapp will now be hoping to draw a line under the Orlov row, which erupted in May when the former US president of Rapp, Greg Andersen, unleashed a scathing attack on the then global chief executive in a lawsuit against the agency, which accused him of discrimination, retaliation and wrongful dismissal.
The agency initially defended Orlov, with its lawyers insisting he was a victim of “outrageous allegations”. But as pressure grew – and allegations mounted – Orlov resigned in June.
However, it is not known whether Andersen’s case has been settled.