Omnicom CEO John Wren Criticizes Wendy Clark for Leaving DDB ‘in the Middle of a Crisis’
On Q1 earnings call, he called out her recent departure to Dentsu Aegis Network

Omnicom CEO John Wren said he was 'shocked and put off' by Wendy Clark's departure.
Wren: Getty Images / Clark: Dentsu Aegis Network

Key insights:
- Wren says DDB's situation in early 2020 was already "difficult" before the pandemic hit.
- Despite some growth, Omnicom expects double-digit declines next quarter.
- If staff cuts hit, "underperformers" won't be safe just by working on key accounts.
While much of Omnicom CEO John Wren’s first-quarter earnings call today was spent on the impact Covid-19 has had on the agency holding company, he raised some eyebrows when he took a break from financial updates to share his feelings about the departure of former DDB Worldwide CEO Wendy Clark.