Dentsu Aegis Network, which oversees media agencies such as Vizeum, Dentsu X, Carat and others, will start the new year with a new CEO Americas after Nick Brien announced his departure. Succeeding Brien will be Jacki Kelley, currently president, chief client officer, DAN U.S. and CEO creative.

Effective Jan. 1, Kelley will report directly to Tim Andree, global CEO of DAN while Brien will remain in a collaborative role to support the transition. Kelley was one of Brien’s hires during his time at DAN where Andree said his contributions significantly affected the turnaround of the business.

“Kelley brings the right leadership acumen, client management skills and commercial experience as well as operational, organizational and strategic expertise,” Andree said, calling her “Nick’s ideal successor.”

Although Kelley is currently CEO of creative, for more than 25 years Kelley has developed a career in advertising with a long history in media. Prior to joining Dentsu in the spring of 2019, Kelley joined Bloomberg Media as COO in 2014 and was named Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Bloomberg LP in 2017. Previous to that she was CEO, North America and president of global brands for IPG Mediabrands.

Jeff Greenspoon, president of DAN Canada, said in a statement that Kelley’s experience will directly benefit Canadian clients and build on the momentum that the network has built over the last two years with Brien. “I’m excited to continue our transformation toward a future-focused agency network that refines how brands can win the digital economy,” he said.