Global marketing and technology agency LBi has appointed Ed Ling as UK media director and chief media officer.
Ling joins LBi from WPP-owned MEC where he led its international business as managing director for global solutions, working on a client list that includes CHANEL, Paramount, Visa and Xerox.
The dual role at LBi will see Ling take responsibility for strengthening the agency’s media offering in the UK and key international territories. Ling will spend the majority of his time in the UK working on LBi’s media proposition, blending strategic, creative, media and technical expertise to build business value for clients.
Ling will report to UK chief executive Anil Pillai and will sit on the UK Executive Board, helping clients devise and execute strategies across bought, earned and owned media channels. Ling’s role sees him working to develop LBi’s Audience Engagement Platform, a technology suite that enables the distribution, measurement and optimisation of content across multiple media platforms.
Anil Pillai, UK chief executive of LBi, commented: “It’s testament to the size and scale of our ambitions that someone of Ed’s pedigree is joining to help us take the next step on our journey. I look forward to working with him to supercharge our media proposition in the UK.”
Ling will spend the rest of his time working on an LBi Group level to drive the agency’s media offering across its entire global footprint, he will devise a media roadmap for key international clients, while working with LBi offices around the world to strengthen their local media capabilities. As chief media officer, Ling will report to global chief executive Luke Taylor and will join the Group Executive Board.
EMEA Chief Executive of LBi, Ewen Sturgeon, added: “On a global level Ed will play a central role in helping us strengthen the vision, leadership and management of the media component of our business. He will partner with clients on an international scale to help us deliver on our brand promise of linking bought, earned and owned media to power customer journeys in a way that no other agency can.”
Of his appointment, Ling said: “I’m excited to be joining an agency that prides itself on blending its media firepower with its strategic, creative technical expertise to build real business value for clients.
"I’m looking forward to working with LBi’s management team to help define 'What’s Next' for the agency’s media offering in the UK and around the world.”
Update: MEC has commented wishing Ling well in his new role, a spokesperson commented: "After three-plus years as MD of Global Solutions London, the time is right for Ed Ling to pursue other opportunities. Caroline Foster Kenny, Chief Client Officer, remains global head of MEC’s International client management Global Solutions.
"Ed’s departure comes at a time when MEC is reviewing its existing structure and focus given its recent new business wins. Going forward, Global Solutions will play an increasingly pivotal role on MEC’s network clients. Caroline will continue to oversee the management restructure working in close consultation of GS London’s 10 strong senior management team."