Long standing boss of leading marketing agency to step down
The long-standing boss of one of Manchester’s leading marketing agencies is stepping down after a 20-year reign.
Sue Little, who ran McCann Manchester, is stepping down from her role as chief executive.
She is being replaced Karen Buchanan – who is joining the business in the New Year.
The new boss will report directly to McCann Worldgroup UK group chief executive Mark Lund.
The new head of the agency will work closely with her predecessor – who will become chair with responsibility for ensuring continued growth and expansion.
The business recently announced a major overhaul of its offices in Prestbury in Cheshire.
Sue Little has been with McCann for 35 years and her work has included major campaigns for Aldi in collaboration with McCann London.
The new head of the agency was chief executive of Publicis London and before that, managing director of Red Brick Road.
Mark Lund said: “We’re delighted to have someone as talented as Karen join us to build on the momentum that has been achieved in the Manchester business and drive the next phase of growth there.
“She will be leading a terrific and talented team and partnering with Sue in her new role.
“Our business across the UK has never been stronger and Manchester’s success is a significant part of that.”
Karen Buchanan said: “I’m thrilled to be joining McCann Manchester which has such an impressive integrated approach and a rich depth of capabilities – not only as a centre of retail excellence but also as a powerhouse for driving digital innovation and creativity with real commercial results.
“I look forward to working with the fantastic team both in Manchester and across the UK group, and taking both our clients’ businesses and our own to the next level.”
Sue Little said: “McCann Manchester is a very special agency, made so by the amazingly talented group of people who work there and I am immensely proud and very lucky to have been a part of that team for the past 35 years and led and developed so many of them for the past 20 years.
“We have created a business that is creatively and commercially massively successful and we’ve achieved this by being willing to challenge the norms, by taking considered risks and driving innovation and giving people a real chance to develop and grow their careers.
“I see Karen’s appointment and my new role as the next of those exciting opportunities and I am looking forward to working together to help create the next chapter in an amazingly successful business story.”
