American ad Industry legend John McGarry elevated to Executive Advisor at Dentsu Inc

Dentsu Inc has appointed John McGarry, CEO of mcgarrybowen, as Special Executive Advisor of Dentsu. John will focus on helping Dentsu continue to expand its global footprint by advising on new business practices, both client-side and acquisition-based, and providing strategic counsel on the growth strategies of all agencies currently under the Dentsu parent, including mcgarrybowen.

He will report directly to Dentsu’s Board of Directors as well as to Tim Andree, Senior Vice President of Dentsu in charge of Dentsu’s international operations and newly appointed President & CEO of the Dentsu Network.

“We are honored to have someone of John’s caliber step into such a crucial role at Dentsu and will rely on his advice and counsel as we move quickly to solidify the globalization of our operations,” explains President & CEO Tadashi Ishii. “It is our belief that John will bring as much success to Dentsu agencies around the world as he did to mcgarrybowen. His knowledge and experience gained throughout his longstanding career in the industry make him an extremely valuable part of our future growth strategy.”

The world-renowned industry veteran is well-known for his 33-year run at Young & Rubicam during which he held Chairman, CEO and President posts, followed by his unprecedented success with mcgarrybowen which he co-founded back in 2002. McGarry became part of the Dentsu family when it acquired mcgarrybowen in November of 2008, a move that recently helped spawn the shop’s own globalization into markets beyond the US, starting with a newly-branded mcgarrybowen office in London.

“John McGarry’s career in advertising is marked by multiple levels of undeniable achievement, his impact on the success of mcgarrybowen being only his most recent,” remarks Andree. “He is a true believer in, and practitioner of, quality client service and relationship management–qualities that Dentsu holds in the highest regard. In his new role he will help drive Dentsu’s overall strategy for global expansion and will focus largely on new business growth across a wide range of Dentsu’s operations. We look forward to tapping into his wealth of expertise.”

McGarry’s new role takes effect immediately, and he will work out of Dentsu Network’s New York headquarters. mcgarrybowen co-founders Gordon Bowen and Stewart Owen remain at the shop. Gordon Bowen will be Chairman of a newly appointed management committee made up of Stewart Owen, Vice Chairman (President of MB International); Eric Vukmirovich, COO; Tim Scott, President of the Chicago office; Bill Borrelle, CEO of New York; and John McGarry III, Chief Digital Officer.