Rapp London chief executive Pete Mitchell has become the latest victim of a round of job cuts at the agency which has already seen the exit of group communications chief Robert Mayes.
Suspicions were raised when Mitchell failed to return to the agency after his summer break. It is believed he is now on six months “gardening leave”, receiving full pay and benefits until he leaves in the second quarter of the new year.
Mitchell, a DecisionMarketing columnist, was handed the role of chief executive in September 2009 after heading up WWAV Media. He had initially taken over the running of the London agency when managing director Samantha Nolan went on maternity leave. When she returned, he was appointed CEO.
He started his career at Link House Magazines in Croydon, now part of IPC, and then worked for former WWAV director Ken Mansfield and a number of other media agencies before joining Optimeda, where he became managing director.
At Rapp, Mitchell oversaw the rebrand from WWAV Rapp Collins and had responsibility for the day-to-day running of the agency’s London office.
His exit is understood to be part of a cost-cutting exercise initiated by Omnicom bosses in the US, and implemented by Rapp group chief executive Marco Scognamiglio. It is believed the agency has met all its targets but the move is designed the “sweat” more profits from the business. At least a dozen people have now left, across all departments.
Last month, Mayes also left the agency after over 14 years to pursue “new opportunities”.
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