Perkins exits Rapp as new senior team takes shape

Rapp London managing director John Perkins has quit after nearly 20 years at the agency – the past three as MD – as the Omnicom business puts the finishing touches to a top-level restructure.
The agency has been without a London CEO since the summer of 2011, when Pete Mitchell left in a round of job cuts. Sam Nolan stepped into Mitchell’s shoes initially before Perkins took over the running of the London agency in February 2013. Nolan left in May this year, also after 20 years with the business.
Newly promoted Rapp UK president Sophie Daranyi – who joined the agency when it bought Haygarth – already works alongside group CEO Marco Scognamiglio.
The agency also currently has two executive creative directors. Jason Andrews joined Rapp as ECD in 2012, and was promoted last year to head up its entire UK creative output after chief creative officer Rik Haslam took a top role at Rapp New York.
Meanwhile, last month the agency brought in Ben Golik as ECD from Kitcatt Nohr, where he had been for over a decade, joining in April 2005 from Harrison Troughton Wunderman.
Perkins has been at Rapp virtually his whole career, joining in 1996. He was promoted to managing partner in 2007 and joined the agency’s executive board in 2013. He is reportedly leaving to pursue a “new venture”, although what this is has not been revealed.
Daranyi said of Perkins’ departure: “John has played a tremendous role in Rapp’s success in the UK and we wish him the best of luck.”
The move follows the agency finally giving up its Riverside HQ in Hammersmith – its palatial home for nearly two decades – to move into the Omnicom group offices in Bankside 3, Southwark, which also houses Proximity London, AMV, TBWA and Manning Gottlieb.

TOPICS:Rapp