Hires and Higher Up...

Ah. Some people can't keep their mouths shut and while I love them dearly, I'm also going to have to shoot them dirty, scathing looks from across the blogosphere, while I set the record straight a little earlier than I would have liked.

Here's the deal: I'm burnt like Britney. I love this damn blog, but my eyes hurt, fingers are now small nubs of flesh and this year of manic blogging has taken its toll. I need a break - a long one. Plus, I have a real job and I've gotten a bit of a promotion and now, time is an issue. So, I'm outta here beginning June 1st. Can't tell you how long and trust, I love this blog and I love you guys and (gasp!)...

So, stay tuned to this here page for updates on how you (yes you!) can be the next spy. Plus! I've got a parting gift up my sleeve. I think you're going to like it.

x Super Spy

No -- not that OMD -- the other one.

OMD, the Omnicom media company -- and been without a US Chief Executive since Joe Uva bailed out last year to become CEO at Univision, has finally found a replacement.

The "winner" -- Alan Cohen, who used to work at IPG, will become the Chief Executive of the US. Cohen will report to North American chief executive Page Thompson. The agency is still without a worldwide chief executive though -- and is still looking to fill that gig with a warm body.

Daryl Simm, head of Omnicom Media Group has been running OMD on a global basis on an interim basis.

Cohen’s appointment follows a number of changes at the media agency including the appointment of John Raj from Visa to head up the agency’s digital operations and Scott Hagedorn who was appointed as the agency’s East Coast boss recently.

Cohen, who is currently president of Initiative's western region, has previously held positions at ABC, NBC and 20th Century Fox.

Last week, Omnicom Group, which also owns BBDO Worldwide, DDB Worldwide and PHD, posted a 14 per cent lift in net income to $208.7 million (£104.8m) year-on-year.

Let's hear it for cheap takes on people's last names -- but Ian Beavis is off to join Carat in their LA office as an EVP, executive client director (whatever that is -- the job titles at agencies become more & more ridiculous on a daily basis.)

Prior to his new gig, Beavis was most recently vp of marketing, public relations and product planning for Kia Motors America -- where he bailed out in February when the CEO at the time also pulled the plug. He did help raise sales 11% during his time there though -- he brought humor to the brand, which was fighting a perception of inferior quality as well as a reputation for bland styling when he joined.

Prior to Kia, Beavis held senior marketing positions at Ford and Mitsubishi Motors. He was also CEO of FCB in Seattle and San Francisco, and he has held posts at Bozell and Saatchi & Saatchi.

Yes kids... the title is spelled incorrectly for a reason (and not one of those fuck-ups you are so intent on pointing out.)

Mark Kingdon has jumped ship from the CEO of Organic, an Omnicom digital shop loosely aligned with BBDO, to become the CEO of Linden Labs, the company that runs Second Life.

Kingdon led Organic in rebuilding its business following the dot-com crash in 2001. He helped to win the Bank of America business and a few others and solidify the relationship they have with Chrysler.

The shop plans to begin a search for his successor immediately. Chuck Russo, Organic's chief development officer, CFO Marita Scarfi and Jonathon Nelson (the previous CEO prior to Kingdon's arrival) will serve on a steering committee until a new chief executive is named.

Unfortunately, joining Linden Labs at this point is like joining Napster after Metallica finished sodomizing them a few years back -- the crest of the wave for Second Life was at least two years ago and there is nowhere to go but the inevitable fade to oblivion that is a couple of years off (look at the arc of involvement of Leo Burnett as a prime example of how worthless it is -- there is no real money to be made for brands & advertisers.)

Best of luck to him!