OMD

An AgencySpy tipster has mentioned that OMD has so many available positions listed in the wake of their recent layoffs because, "they post all the openings, especially for the senior level positions, and they don't get permission to hire from the budget overlords". Why get people's hopes up in such a difficult job market OMD? Everyone is grasping at straws and it's heartbreaking to learn that the odds of finding a new job are worst than they seem.

Tsk, Tsk OMD. Tsk, Tsk.

We hear that there have been 30 layoffs at OMD in the past two weeks. I'm losing count on who is laying folks off. That's pretty surprising since I recently heard that OMD was doing pretty well. Maybe they're just making room? OMD did just recently post these available positions:

*Associate Media Director--Digital (LA)
*Business Intelligence DBA & Data Modeler (NY)
*Business Inteligence Developer/Analyst (NY)
*Media Supervisor - Digital (SF)
*Client Budget Project Manager (NY, SF)
*Traffic/Project Manager (NY)
*Group Director (Hispanic Expertise) (NY)
*Media Buyer / Negotiator (LA)
*Media Reconciliation Specialist (NY)
*Assistant Media Planner/Strategist (NY)
*Assistant Media Planner (LA)

So, good luck if you're looking for a new gig. I hear lots of people are. It's getting pretty sad to have to keep talking about layoffs. I'm gonna start posting who is hiring. Matt told you about Grey's available position. Who else is hiring?

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.

Good morning! More news coming out of OMD about its restructuring to stay a lean mean, fighting machine. Jon Raj has been named chief digital officer of OMD USA, replacing that hot 40-under-40 Scott Hagedorn, was recently named managing director of OMD's East Coast region. AdWeak reports that previously, Raj was VP, advertising and emerging platforms at Visa, an OMD client, but prior to that he pulled stints at Saatchi & Saatchi, Ketchum, CKS and Tonic360. Welcome back, Raj! You know its more fun on the advertising side of the pond. The ad biz is, you kno, it's more creative, possibly even more free, as you get to work on more brands than the one, get your hands dirty.

Anyway, Raj is going to take up the charge of integrating OMD's digital units.

"As part of that integration, a digital specialist now sits on every account team and employee training is being implemented to instill new technologies as a core competency among all team members."

Crain's just released their 40 under 40 list. Thirty-seven year old Scott Hagedorn, Managing Director, East Coast of OMD, has made the list. Don't you love this Jedi Mind trick thing he's doing in the photo? Check it out his full profile here, but see the best details below.

"To make a quick buck, he started The Famous Flying Barracuda Co., selling self-made, fiberglass barracudas with fake owl wings for $400 each through fishing suppliers like Orvis."

"Mr. Hagedorn co-founded digital agency Breatheinteractive. In 2002, WestWayne bought the shop, which had grown to $125 million in billings. Soon after, Mr. Hagedorn landed an even bigger gig, moving to Manhattan-based Rapp Collins as chief interactive officer."

"This year, he was given a broader mandate to oversee all of OMD's East Coast business, which represents the bulk of the agency’s $10.8 billion in billings in the United States."

“We’re in the front line trying to make an investment recommendation that crosses multiple channels grounded in ROI and uses a lot of different technology. You need somebody very sophisticated to be able to deliver that."