GroupM introduces new innovation center GroupM Next; names Chris Copeland as CEO

GroupM Next will focus on providing insights, in context, on the developments at both, core partners and emerging players in online, mobile, social and addressable. Together with its agencies and clients, GroupM Next will assist in the creation and management of partnership opportunities, integration into its technology and data systems and education to deliver best practices. The new unit also will build on the body of original research focusing on consumer use of new platforms and devices and the impact of that usage on brand marketing.

"GroupM Next is dedicated to creating, capturing and ensuring the implementation of the best thinking and new insights from our community in the digital, social, mobile and addressable media markets," said GroupM North America CEO Rob Norman in making the announcement. "Our goal is to create an active partnership across GroupM and our clients to develop actionable insight and a clear path to action on the platforms that are changing our industry."

Norman added that Chris Copeland, CEO of GroupM Search, has been named Chief Executive Officer of GroupM Next and Cary Tilds, currently N.A. Leader of Digital Media Operations at GroupM agency Mindshare, has been named Chief Innovation Officer.

In his new role, Copeland will leverage his multi-year experience with emerging media companies to steward the GroupM Next program in partnership with our agency leadership. The focus will be participating with those companies leading changes that most impact consumer media consumption, brand favorability and purchase behavior.

"There are a number of companies that are transforming media and the way consumers and brands behave. These changes are of paramount importance to GroupM and its clients" said Copeland. "It's our job to provide unmatched competitive advantage for our clients with these partners. It's the job of GroupM Next to assist our agencies and their clients in realizing this opportunity."