WPP hires Publicis executive as chief marketing officer

LONDON (Reuters) - WPP <WPP.L> said it had hired Laurent Ezekiel from its French rival Publicis <PUBP.PA> to be its chief marketing and growth officer, tasked with helping new boss Mark Read steer the world's biggest advertising group back to growth.

Ezekiel held the twin roles of president of Publicis agency Digitas, North America and International, and global business development lead, overseeing clients such as Samsung and American Express and leading the GSK account, WPP said.

He started his career at Saatchi & Saatchi, the London-based agency where WPP founder and former chief executive Martin Sorrell also started in advertising.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by David Evans)