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BBDO New York Executives Depart Following Restructuring

The leadership changes shift oversight at the New York office as the firm adjusts its regional management structure.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Advertising

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BBDO New York is consolidating its leadership structure as CEO Emma Armstrong and other key executives depart, moving oversight of the office to Tod Sussman and Kat Grib. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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BBDO New York CEO Emma Armstrong, chief creative officer Michael Aimette, and chief client officer Kelli MacDonald have departed the firm. Tod Sussman and Kat Grib are stepping in to lead the New York office, while Scott Bell assumes oversight of creative operations.

Why it matters

The departures signal a significant consolidation of leadership roles following a period of agency restructuring. Operators should note that the firm will not directly replace the CEO position as it centralizes management functions under existing leaders.

The firm recently experienced a massive $13 billion acquisition of IPG by Omnicom, which resulted in 4,000 job eliminations and the retirement of several legacy brands. No direct replacement has been named for the outgoing CEO role.

The players

BBDO

A global advertising agency network known for its long-standing history in creative services.

Omnicom

A major global marketing and corporate communications holding company.

Emma Armstrong

The former CEO of BBDO NY who managed the agency's New York operations.

The details

The agency is transitioning to a more consolidated leadership model, with Tod Sussman and Kat Grib taking over the New York office. This shift follows a broader pattern of organizational changes and brand consolidation, including the retirement of the FCB, DDB, and MullenLowe brands. While leadership roles are being redistributed, the office maintains its focus on active accounts, such as Applebee's, which it reclaimed in September 2026.

Timeline

  1. BBDO was launched in 1928.

  2. Leadership changed in 2024 when Nancy Reyes and Chris Beresford-Hill took control.

  3. The agency launched a major repositioning in 2025.

  4. BBDO reclaimed the Applebee's account in September 2026.

  5. News of the executive departures was published on September 30, 2026.

Market Landscape

This reorganization follows the integration patterns seen after the $13 billion Omnicom acquisition of IPG, which previously saw the retirement of established brands like FCB and DDB. The move reflects a broader trend of centralizing agency management to drive operational efficiency.

Businesses should monitor whether these leadership shifts result in changes to existing service levels or account management strategies. Operators relying on agency partnerships should prepare for potential continuity adjustments as new leadership settles into oversight roles.

The takeaway

Management transitions often signal underlying structural consolidations that prioritize centralized control over local autonomy. Keep a close watch on account stability and key performance metrics as your own agency partners undergo internal restructuring.

Further reading

For broader trends in agency management and consolidation, see Advertising.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Adweek.

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