Maiko Valentijn to lead GroupM Netherlands as CEO; Tessa van der Starre CEO MediaCom Netherlands
GroupM Netherlands has promoted Maiko Valentijn to GroupM’s new Chief Executive Officer. In this role he will lead the Netherlands operations consisting of GroupM, Mindshare, Wavemaker, MediaCom and Greenhouse, succeeding Eric Kramer who moved to the role of WPP Country Leader earlier this month. Maiko will report into Demet Ikiler, GroupM EMEA CEO.
The change in leadership is effective immediately and comes in a time where the group’s ambition is to create a stronger, integrated GroupM, with strong front doors for our leading agencies. GroupM will lead innovation and strategic execution to grow client businesses and to be the number 1 destination for media, communications and creative talent in the Netherlands.
In his time as CEO of MediaCom, Maiko has focused on building a strong client portfolio with an innovative product offering.
‘I am really excited to add Maiko to head up our Netherlands operation’, said Demet Ikiler about Maiko’s appointment. ‘Given his vast experience in the market and our network, outstanding reputation, and deep connections, we know Maiko will do amazing things for the agencies and our clients’.
Maiko will hand over the role of MediaCom CEO to longtime MediaCom colleague Tessa van der Starre, currently Managing Director of the agency, which was named Agency of the year in 2020. This transition will take place February 1st 2021.
Tessa has been with MediaCom since 2008 and has always worked in very close partnership with clients and client teams. Maiko about Tessa: ‘She is always true to herself, she sets up first class teams and she leads by example. She checks her ego at the door, and picks up every difficult challenge which is thrown at her. Her role doesn’t stop there, she is an energetic and positive leader. She can be the life of the party but also somebody with great humility and she treats everybody with the same level of respect.’
GroupM Netherlands is market leader and consists of Mindshare, Wavemaker, MediaCom, Greenhouse as well as the outcomes-driven programmatic audience company, Xaxis and Addressable TV business Finecast. GroupM’s portfolio includes Data & Technology, Investment and Services, all united in vision to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. By leveraging all the benefits of scale, the company innovates, differentiates and generates sustained value for our clients wherever they do business. In total there are 900 people working for both local and international clients. GroupM has locations in Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Sittard.
