Omnicom has appointed Susan Catalano as chief people officer for its US operations. The role positions Catalano at the helm of the company’s HR function, where she will oversee a team of professionals dedicated to talent, transformation, and operational excellence.

Reporting directly to Chairman and CEO John Wren, her appointment marks a pivotal chapter as the marketing and communications behemoth retools its workforce to match its growth agenda.

A veteran in steering global organisations through change, Catalano brings a wealth of experience in people strategy, change management, and HR operations. She most recently served as managing partner, chief people officer and chief administrative officer at WeWork, where she oversaw all facets of global HR. Her earlier tenure at Citi – spanning over 20 years – saw her lead global recruitment and daily HR operations across more than 100 countries.

Catalano’s HR expertise is built for scale and change, having guided businesses through both bull and bear markets. Her leadership style – equal parts decisive and visionary – aligns with Omnicom’s ambition to reimagine its structure and offering for a rapidly shifting marketplace.

“Susan’s demonstrated ability to create innovative HR strategies in line with a company’s evolving business needs makes her a great fit to lead Omnicom’s people strategy,” said Wren. “We look forward to having her leadership as we design a new organisation that reimagines our industry and drives a bold new era of growth – for our clients, our people and our company.”

Catalano echoed the sentiment, stating: “I am excited to step into this new role at such a pivotal time for Omnicom and to further strengthen its foundation, which is its talented people. It’s an honor to join a company that consistently sets the standard for excellence and creativity in a constantly evolving industry.”

Her appointment is one of several moves underscoring Omnicom’s broader transformation playbook. The company recently unveiled OmniAI, an artificial intelligence platform designed to elevate client-facing operations, reinforcing its push towards tech- and insight-driven communications.

Wren extends tenure, ties compensation to long-term value

In tandem with Catalano’s arrival, Omnicom has reaffirmed leadership continuity with a fresh employment agreement for Wren, its long-time CEO. Having steered the ship since 1997, his contract extension through 31 December 2028 ensures stability as the company navigates upcoming strategic moves – most notably, the proposed acquisition and integration of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.

What sets this extension apart is Wren’s unconventional compensation arrangement. Starting 1 June this year, his base salary will drop to a symbolic US$1. Instead, he has been granted stock options for 4 million shares of Omnicom common stock, which will vest gradually over his extended term.

Wren has opted out of additional incentive pay entirely to refocus on shareholder value and future performance.

This structure reflects a deliberate alignment with long-term returns, a move seen at the top rungs of corporate leadership. It also sends a clear message that Wren is putting skin in the game as he redoubles efforts on Omnicom’s next chapter.

When the new term concludes, Wren will shift into the role of executive chairman of the board. His current contract includes tight provisions for termination, restricted to cause, death, or resignation – a further signal of the board’s confidence in his continued stewardship.

Financial performance and investor sentiment remain steady

From a financial standpoint, Omnicom is showing signs of resilience. In the first quarter of 2025, the company exceeded earnings forecasts with an EPS of $1.70, slightly outperforming the expected $1.66. Revenue, however, came in just under projections at $3.69 billion versus the anticipated $3.72 billion. Organic revenue growth for the quarter stood at 3.4%, narrowly missing the 3.7% target, though key verticals such as Media & Advertising and Precision Marketing shone through with 7% organic growth.

The company continues to reward investors, maintaining a solid P/E ratio of 10.3x and a dividend yield of 3.7%. It also recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.70 per share, extending its remarkable 55-year streak of uninterrupted payouts – a track record that speaks volumes in investor circles.

Reflecting confidence tempered by realism, UBS adjusted its target price for Omnicom from $104.00 to $99.00, while holding firm on its Buy rating. The brokerage cited strong fundamentals and the company’s ability to weather market shifts while staying focused on its transformation journey.

M&A ambitions and organisational overhaul

Omnicom is positioning itself for a bold pivot. The potential tie-up with IPG could redefine the landscape, unlocking synergies and boosting competitive firepower.

As the industry braces for disruption fuelled by AI, talent demands, and digital acceleration, Omnicom appears to be laying down the groundwork to lead.