MEC has named Marla Kaplowitz as its new North American CEO. Kaplowitz replaces Lee Doyle, who recently stepped down from the position. Doyle will remain at the company, in a position that has yet to be announced.

Kaplowitz joined MEC last March as president of US clients and head of planning. She has previously worked at MediaVest as executive VP, managing director, leading the Procter & Gamble communications team for North America.

Charles Courtier, global CEO for MEC tells MiC that Kaplowitz is the kind of leader that can tackle both sides of the media co’s business in today’s market.

“She epitomizes the modern strategic leader, which is what a media agency needs in this day and age,” he says. “She is steeped deeply in strategic planning. She is a very modern communications thinker and a great planner from that point of view. There is the commodities side and the value-added business partnership side to media agencies, and she is so well suited to both. She knows what she is looking for. She is a modern business leader, which is much harder to find in this industry than it should be.”

Kaplowitz’s replacement as president of US clients and head of planning has not yet been announced.