WPP’s GroupM shifts Maxus chiefs Nick Baughan and Steve Williams to Essence

Essence, the WPP media agency, has appointed Maxus leaders Nick Baughan and Steve Williams as chief executives of EMEA and North America respectively.

The hires follow the announcement earlier this month that WPP would merge Maxus and MEC as part of a move that would see it invest in building out Essence, which the holding company bought in 2015.

Nick Baughan, previously chief executive of Maxus UK, has been named chief executive of Essence EMEA, while his North American counterpart, Steve Williams, will become Essence’s North American chief.

Also joining from Maxus is former chief strategy officer Damian Blackden, who will transfer into the same role.  Williams, Baughan and Blackden will report to Christian Juhl, global chief executive of Essence, who said  “We have felt incredibly well-supported by Group M since joining their ranks a year and a half ago. And, this new infusion of truly top-tier talent into Essence is yet another example of WPP’s ongoing commitment to our success.”