OMD Worldwide
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media communications |
| Founded | 1 October 1996 in Paris, France |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (more than 140 offices in 80 countries) |
Key people | George Manas (CEO) |
| Parent | Omnicom Group |
OMD Worldwide—originally standing for Optimum Media Direction or Omnicom Media Direction—is a media communications firm functioning as the "media specialist brand" within the Omnicom Group portfolio.[1] Based in New York City, OMD maintains a presence through more than 140 offices across 80 countries, with George Manas serving as its CEO.[2]
History
Established in Paris in October 1996, OMD was formed by merging the European media divisions of Omnicom’s agencies DDB Needham and BBDO, signaling Omnicom’s departure from its media-buying partnership with WPP.[3] Concurrently, DDB Needham had introduced the Optimum Media brand for its media purchasing operations across the United States, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific markets.[4]
By the year 2000, OMD unified the US media activities of DDB, BBDO, and TBWA\Chiat\Day under a single brand identity.[5] A significant milestone occurred in 2002 when OMD brokered a $1 billion cross-platform agreement between The Walt Disney Company and American Broadcasting Company.[6]
OMD has broadened its service portfolio by launching specialized units such as OMD Create (focused on creative services), OMD Design (dedicated to strategic planning), and Omni (an integrated marketing solution).[7]
Florian Adamski assumed the role of CEO in September 2017, championing the "Better Decisions, Faster" initiative. Under his guidance, OMD achieved the top position in the "2019 New Business Barometer" for global media networks and led all media agencies in total billings.[8][1]
In 2021, Omnicom secured the comprehensive global marketing account for Mercedes-Benz, establishing Team X to oversee all facets of the brand’s communications across 45 countries. This strategic move included acquiring Berlin-based digital agency antoni and German public relations firm OSK.[9][10]
In November 2021, George Manas was named CEO of OMD as Florian Adamski transitioned to lead Omnicom Media Group.[11]
Recognition
OMD has been honored with the Adweek "Global Media Agency of the Year" Award on several occasions, including the years 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020. Additionally, Ad Age awarded OMD the title of "Media Agency of the Year" in 2002, 2005, 2009, and 2011.
Subsidiaries
- OMD NA
- OMD LATAM
- OMD EMEA
- OMD APAC
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namednewswire2019 - ↑ "OMD retains top global media agency title for 2019". Campaign.
- ↑ "Omnicom Forms European Media Unit". 18 October 1996.
- ↑ "DDB Needham Renames Media Group". 17 October 1996.
- ↑ . 28 February 2000 https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/omnicom-makes-its-media-move-37480/.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ Bloom, Jonah (3 March 2003). "OMD Used to be Omnicom's Weak Link, Not Anymore". Ad Age.
- ↑ McAteer, Oliver (18 June 2019). "'Evolve or die': Q&A with OMD WW CEO Florian Adamski". Campaign.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedadweekcoffee - ↑ "Mercedes-Benz Consolidates Its Global Marketing Entirely With Omnicom Group".
- ↑ "Omnicom wins global Mercedes-Benz account".
- ↑ Morley, Olivia (2021-11-29). "What's Next for Omnicom's Media Agencies?". Adweek.