Grey Group is officially 100 years old. To mark the occasion, the international WPP agency announced that Michael Houston is being promoted within the company's hierarchy.
Grey Group adds that James R. Heekin, who has led the company as chairman and chief executive since 2007, will remain as chairman. Heekin will work closely with Houston, the global management team and clients to ensure a smooth transition of duties.
Houston is a veteran with more than 10 years of experience at Grey and has served as Global President since 2016. Since the agency was founded in 1917, he has become only the fifth person to hold the title of CEO. He joined Grey New York, the global network's flagship headquarters office, as executive vice president and director of marketing, leading Grey's business development and brand marketing efforts. In 2010, he was promoted to global chief marketing officer of Grey worldwide. Appointed to the new position of managing director of Grey New York in 2011, Houston took on the role of chief operating officer in 2012. He was named to Crain's New York Business'
Under his leadership, Grey has won such blue-chip clients as Gillette, Volvo, Nestlé, Hasbro, Papa John's, Kellogg's and Marriott. In 2016, he took on an expanded worldwide leadership role when he became global president of Grey.
"As global president, I've travelled the world and been inspired by the depth and breadth of talent and creativity across the Grey network," Houston said. "I'm humbled to work among such brilliant creative minds and honored to become CEO of this great agency brand at the height of its momentum, with vast potential ahead."
Under Heekin's leadership, Grey has brought in new talent; introduced a new global strategic model for developing creative ideas across platforms; andenhanced its total communications offering with acquisitions in every region.
"As we celebrate Grey's centennial and a decade of record new business growth and creative performance, the time is right for the elevation of a new generation," Heekin said. "Michael Houston is one of our most dynamic and talented leaders. This well-deserved promotion will enable us to set the agenda for Grey's future growth and competitiveness across our global network."
