IPG Mediabrands agency Initiative has promoted its North America boss Peter Mears to the role of global chief operating officer.

Mears, who has been president of Initiative’s North America office since April 2013, will take up the post on 1 January and report to global chief executive Jim Elms.

He will be responsible for strengthening Initiative’s international commercial operations, focusing leadership and client growth across the agency’s 85 markets.

Mears spent over a decade at Omnicom’s PHD, latterly as director of global accounts, before joining Mediabrands in 2010 to run UM in Canada.

“We all expect Initiative to continue on the road of cutting-edge success, both in attracting and servicing clients and embracing innovation in the industry Peter’s unique point of view and many achievements in a notable career are exactly what’s needed to ensure that happens,” said Elms.

Mears added: “I believe in a unifying culture that drives our people to not only perform to their highest standard, but also to wake up in the morning and genuinely love coming to work. In my new role I aim to make that happen on a global scale for the agency.”

He will be replaced by Kris Magel (pictured, below), who is promoted from his role as regional chief investment officer and becomes president of Initiative US. Magel will report to Mears.

“It makes me really happy to see one of Initiative’s own grow into this position of leadership,” said Mears.

“Kris’ growing reputation across the network for his integrated and collaborative approach, and his ardent representation of clients, makes us all very excited to have him lead our biggest market at the agency.”

Magel’s replacement will be announced in the coming weeks.