Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations and Certifications
Timeline
Generic

Mark A. O’Brien

Greater New York City

Summary

Seasoned CEO with proven leadership skills and track record of driving organizational growth. Experienced in strategic planning, business development, operational management, and team leadership. Notable success in capitalizing on new business opportunities, increasing profitability, and managing business relationships. Instrumental in achieving corporate goals through hands-on involvement in all aspects of business operations.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Global CEO / CFO - Omnicom Brand Consulting Group

OMNICOM GROUP INC.
New York
01.2017 - Current
  • Company Overview: Omnicom (NYSE: "OMC") is a global leader in marketing communications, with over $15 billion in revenues, approximately 70,000 employees, and more than 5,000 clients in over 100 countries.
  • Omnicom Brand Consulting Group is a network comprised of six companies specializing in brand consulting, design, and research, with operations in the US, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, India, Australia, China, Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Dubai.
  • Tasked with establishing the Brand Consulting Group as a network and overseeing the operations and financial functions of Interbrand Group, C Space, Hall & Partners, Wolff Olins, Siegel + Gale, and Sterling Brands to seek efficiencies and opportunities among the group for acquisitions, cross-selling, and shared back-office services.
  • Brand Consulting Group revenues grew 40% post-COVID by securing the business of significant mergers and spinoffs, including Truist Bank, GE, 3M, Johnson & Johnson, GSK, and Honeywell.

Executive Vice President, Operations and Finance

OMNICOM GROUP INC.
01.2016 - 01.2017
  • Reporting to the Omnicom Group Global CEO and CFO, tasked with reviewing businesses across Omnicom’s divisions on a global basis to recommend and implement steps to optimize performance.
  • Advised on the establishment of 'operating groups' to put similar and complimentary companies together under experienced managers to seek operating efficiencies an client opportunities (basis for the Brand Consulting Group and other operating networks)
  • Established a global Omnicom servicing structure for SC Johnson’s shopper marketing needs, generating over $20 million in revenue.
  • Reviewed a $600 million field marketing operation and made recommendations to increase profitability by 200 basis points.

President & CEO, North America

DDB WORLDWIDE (OMNICOM GROUP INC.)
01.2010 - 01.2015
  • Company Overview: DDB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Omnicom Group, Inc. and a top 3 global marketing communications agency with over 100 offices in 90 countries.
  • Full P&L and operating responsibility for DDB’s 15 offices and reporting units in the U.S. and Canada with approximately $500 million in revenues and 3,000 employees. Member of DDB’s Global Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
  • Addressed an outdated multi-office structure, recruited new office and creative leadership, and focused on building digital skill sets.
  • Through restructuring and cost control, we increased operating margins by 500 basis points (to in excess of 24% for the region) during a period of client spending cuts and revenue declines.
  • Brought in new, digitally savvy creative talent, and ramped up digital training, resulting in DDB being one of the top three most recognized and awarded agencies in North America.
  • Established DDB’s award-winning Supplier Diversity program and created DDB’s recognized gender equality program, 'Better By Half.' Hired DDB’s first-ever Chief Diversity Officer.
  • Won new business and secured new assignments and growth from major accounts totaling more than $100 million in revenues, including State Farm, Capital One, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Mars/Wrigley, Merck, GSK, Pfizer, Qualcomm, VW Canada, SC Johnson, Kohler, American Cancer Society, LifeLock, Huawei, and Rexall Drugs.

CFO / COO, Asia Pacific and North America

DDB WORLDWIDE (OMNICOM GROUP INC.)
01.2003 - 01.2010
  • Responsible for the financial reporting, budgeting, and operations of DDB’s offices in Asia Pacific and North America, covering 25 offices in 14 countries. Traveled extensively throughout the regions, based in both New York and Hong Kong.
  • Created the blueprint to combine and operate DDB’s global digital operations as a single entity. Then hired the management team to establish and run what became Tribal DDB, one of the top 5 digital agencies in the world (at over $150 million in revenues).
  • Consolidated the four regions that made up Asia Pacific at the time (North Asia, Greater China, Southeast Asia, and Australia/New Zealand), reducing operating costs from redundant management and establishing a collaborative environment that moved DDB from below the top 15 in the rankings of agencies in the region into the top 3.
  • Negotiated and completed due diligence for numerous acquisitions in the regions, including adding new skill sets to DDB’s offering to the entertainment industry (through the acquisition of The Ant Farm, Los Angeles) and expanding DDB’s media and PR competencies in New Zealand (via Spark Media and PR).
  • Established joint ventures in Japan with Tokyu Agency and in China with CITIC Guoan, enabling DDB greater access to local resources and business in these key markets.

Global Director of Finance

DDB WORLDWIDE (OMNICOM GROUP INC.)
01.1998 - 01.2003
  • Performed the annual, quarterly, and monthly global consolidation of DDB’s financial results for Omnicom’s SEC reporting, and oversaw the annual budgets and forecast updates for some 200 reporting entities.
  • Handled all complex equity accounting and acquisition payments globally.
  • Participated in the annual business planning process for all 200 entities, with global travel to offices.
  • Oversaw the implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance for DDB.
  • Managed foreign currency transactions, hedging, and settlements.
  • Primary liaison to external public accountants for the annual audit process.

CFO

GRIFFIN BACAL (OMNICOM GROUP INC.)
New York
01.1996 - 01.1998
  • Company Overview: This New York-based agency had been acquired by DDB in 1994, with offices in Canada, the UK, and Mexico.
  • Returned the agency to profitability by renegotiating compensation arrangements with clients, cutting costs, and ultimately merging its operations into DDB.

CFO

TRACY LOCKE/THE FOCUS AGENCY (OMNICOM GROUP INC.)
Dallas
01.1994 - 01.1996
  • Company Overview: Established this Dallas-based operation as the first client-specific (for GTE), fully integrated agency of its kind.
  • Grew revenues from a base of $15 million to more than $30 million, with margins in excess of 30%, handling all contract and compensation negotiations with clients.

Senior Manager

ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO.
Dallas
  • Company Overview: Big Six Accounting Firm.
  • Recruited into the Audit and Advisory Services Group. Specialized in SEC and partnership reporting in the manufacturing, real estate, and healthcare industries.
  • Oversaw large audit engagements with over 50 staff, due diligence for acquisitions, SEC registrations, tax accounting, and consulting engagements.

Education

Bachelor of Accountancy -

University of Mississippi
"Ole Miss"

Skills

  • P&L oversight / management
  • Business development and innovation
  • Global mergers and acquisitions
  • Client relations
  • Pricing and contracts
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Financial reporting
  • Restructuring and turnarounds
  • Talent recruitment and compensation

Affiliations and Certifications

  • Ad Council, Director
  • Advertising Education Foundation, Director
  • Certified Public Accountant

Timeline

Global CEO / CFO - Omnicom Brand Consulting Group

OMNICOM GROUP INC.
01.2017 - Current

Executive Vice President, Operations and Finance

OMNICOM GROUP INC.
01.2016 - 01.2017

President & CEO, North America

DDB WORLDWIDE (OMNICOM GROUP INC.)
01.2010 - 01.2015

CFO / COO, Asia Pacific and North America

DDB WORLDWIDE (OMNICOM GROUP INC.)
01.2003 - 01.2010

Global Director of Finance

DDB WORLDWIDE (OMNICOM GROUP INC.)
01.1998 - 01.2003

CFO

GRIFFIN BACAL (OMNICOM GROUP INC.)
01.1996 - 01.1998

CFO

TRACY LOCKE/THE FOCUS AGENCY (OMNICOM GROUP INC.)
01.1994 - 01.1996

Senior Manager

ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO.

Bachelor of Accountancy -

University of Mississippi

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