FORMER BATES CANADIAN BOSS NOW HEADS U.S.
By Adnews Staff
The former head of Bates Canada is now in charge of the U.S. operations of Bates Worldwide, a division of British-based Cordiant PLC. Bill Whitehead, who has been with Bates since 1971, has been named president and chief operating officer of Bates USA. He has taken over from Frank Assumma who left suddenly this week to become chairman and chief executive of the underperforming U.S. agency Wells Rich Greene BDDP. Whitehead is continuing to hold on to his title of chief operating officer of Bates North America, a job he moved into in December last year. Before that he was executive vice-president of worldwide client services of Bates Worldwide. He took over that post after moving from Bates Canada where he was chairman and chief executive officer. In his new position, Whitehead is taking charge of an agency struggling to hold on to a large account, the $70-million assignment for the Miller Genuine Draft brand belonging to Miller Brewing Co. Bates USA hasn't won a lot of new accounts lately and Whitehead says bringing in new business is one challenge he faces.