Martina Suess Cromer has moved on from her role as U.S. communications chief at WPP and has been named global chief communications officer at FCB, a revived role at the IPG agency. FCB is separating communications and growth into two distinct disciplines. Global chief marketing officer Brandon Cooke, previously responsible for FCB’s reputation practice, will continue to drive new business and growth efforts, as well as leading FCB’s international affiliates.
Suess Cromer is tasked with leading and developing FCB’s collective global communications strategy with an aim to build greater connectivity and collaboration among the agency’s worldwide network of offices and focusing on creative storytelling that transforms brand reputation. She is based in New York and joins FCB’s leadership team reporting to global chief executive officer Tyler Turnbull and global chief creative officer Susan Credle.
Communications, as a profession, is a lot more than just PR.
Martina Suess Cromer. global chief communications, FCB
“It’s really good to be back in an agency, because it’s where I came up. I understand the impact you can have in these roles, and I just want to tell great stories. FCB is an agency that really understands that work can shape culture and culture is what shapes business,” Suess Cromer told Adweek.
For the last four years Suess Cromer led U.S. corporate communications across WPP’s largest market. Prior to WPP, she was the global head of marketing and communications at Hearst-owned agency iCrossing and before that was the vp of global corporate communications at Wunderman. She also held positions at Brand Innovators, Quotidian Ventures, Powell Communications and DDA Public Relations.
Giving comms the attention and funds it deserves
FCB saw the need to split the comms department into two groups after the network’s continued growth and new business wins, including Budweiser, Intuit QuickBooks and the New York Mets.
Cooke will now be able to focus on the growth aspect of the business while Suess Cromer will concentrate on global internal and external communications.
“Both spaces are a lot hotter and come with a lot more opportunity,” Credle told Adweek.
Credle said that when she took the CCO job at Leo Burnett in Chicago, she recalled her predecessor saying that the most important person on your team will be your head of comms, because they will make your mistakes not as painful. They will make your average look good and they will make your great exceptional. “I truly believe that giving comms the attention that it deserves today with everything that’s going on in our agency is going to be another step up for us,” said Credle.