DEARBORN, Mich., July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Marketing and automotive veteran, Mark R. LaNeve, has been named Chief Operating Officer of WPP Group's Global Team Ford, it was announced today.
"Much has been accomplished over the past year in restructuring and building our business; the time is right to bring in a new operational leader who will help take us to the next level," said CEO of Global Team Ford, Satish Korde. "Mark is not only a great industry veteran, he's a seasoned marketing and automotive executive with a strong background in retail, luxury and also the service industry, bringing a diverse amount of operational experience to this role. Mark and I will stay closely linked on the business, providing Ford Motor Company with the creativity and innovation that have been a hallmark of this operation since its inception in 2007."
Reporting to Korde, LaNeve will lead the strategy and overall operations for the Ford and Lincoln businesses globally. "Ford is an iconic brand with outstanding leadership, great products and an even better future," LaNeve said. "With several options for returning to the industry I love, returning home to Detroit to be part of the Ford team through WPP was simply an opportunity I couldn't pass up."
"Mark's joining the WPP team adds a whole new dimension to our global capability," said WPP Group Chief Executive, Sir Martin Sorrell. "The great partnership which we enjoy with Ford will be strengthened even further."
LaNeve most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Allstate Insurance Company, where he led a realignment of the sales and marketing business and launched the award winning "Mayhem" campaign. Prior to joining Allstate in 2009, LaNeve served as Vice President Sales, Service and Marketing at General Motors, where he began his career. He left GM in 1997 to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer at Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. until 2001; he returned that year to GM to be the General Manager for Cadillac, a post he held until 2005. His success with the Cadillac brand was recognized and rewarded in 2003 when he was named "Grand Marketer of the Year" by Brandweek magazine. LaNeve holds a Bachelor's Degree in business communications from the University of Virginia, where he was an Academic All-American football player.
About Team Detroit
Team Detroit, Dearborn, MI., brings together five of WPP's largest marketing and communications agencies in one location to provide its clients access to best practices and talent. Team Detroit is the 21st century equivalent of the full-service agency, acting as a portal to provide a single point of contact and accountability. Visit www.teamdetroit.com to learn more.
SOURCE Team Detroit