MCN, part of IPG, has bolstered its leadership team in the region with the hiring of a new Chief Communications Officer.
Lizzie Dewhurst, the former Head of International Communications & PR at Publicis Groupe, joins the leadership team, reporting to Ghassan Harfouche, Group CEO MCN MENAT and President McCann Worldgroup APAC.
In the newly-created role, she will be responsible for the brand profile, reputation management and marketing of MCN and its portfolio of agencies.
These include McCann Worldgroupand IPG Mediabrands, including FP7McCann, MullenLowe, UM, Magna, Initiative, KINESSO, MRM, McCann Health, Momentum, Craft, Weber Shandwick, Commonwealth//McCann, Jack Morton, Octagon and Current Global.
MCN has around 2,000 employees spanning 11 markets in MENAT. Across its strong agency brands, MCN offers integrated marketing solutions that build enduring brands and business growth for its clients.
Dewhurst joins MCN from Publicis Groupe where she was responsible for overseeing International corporate communications, media relations, executive profiles for agency and clients, crisis and reputation management.
While building an aligned and consistent brand cross-market for Publicis Groupe, she was integral to key achievements, including Ad Age’s Holding Company of the Year (2022), Adweek’s international agency of the year (2021) and the launch of Working with Cancer, which was awarded a Health Grand Prix Lion (2023).
Most recently, she was involved in the launch of the Groupe’s AI strategy. Her leadership in PR for both agency and clients has generated high-profile coverage and helped secure major Cannes award wins for clients including Heineken and Powerade.
Having lived and worked in the US, Europe and Middle East, Lizzie draws on international experience, from previous roles where she led communications globally for Publicis Worldwide, Leo Burnett and Saatchi + Saatchi.
She has also worked within the global communications teams at TBWA\Worldwide and AKQA. Lizzie regularly judges PR Categories for industry award shows and has featured as a university guest lecturer.
Ghassan Harfouche, Group CEO IPG/MCN MENAT and President McCann Worldgroup APAC said: I’m happy to welcome Lizzie, who brings broad multinational communications experience across agency, holding company and brands, and know that she will ensure added value for our agencies and clients.”
