Alan Rutherford, currently VP of global media for Unilever, has been named the new CEO of Digitas Global – the division formed to grow the agency’s business worldwide. The appointment takes effect in September and Rutherford will be based in London, UK.

His main priority will be leading expansion into major new markets around the world and leveraging expansion platform businesses, which include Digitas London and Prodigious Worldwide. Created last month, Prodigious is a spin-off of the former Digitas agency Modem Media.

‘It’s always been a personal ambition to be at the leading edge of brand communication, and it was a privilege to help instigate worldwide communication channel planning for Unilever,’ said Rutherford. ‘I’m equally privileged to be asked to lead the global expansion of Digitas and to bring my experience to bear on its world-class organization, people and portfolio of clients.’