In his new post, Walsh will lead digital-media expansion across GMIO in partnership with an established senior leadership team at Carat, iProspect’s Search & Performance marketing teams, and the global Digital leadership group in Detroit.
Prior to this, Walsh was with neo@ogilvy Australia as head of digital media operations, where he achieved 120 per cent year-on-year revenue growth within the first year of assuming the role. With more than 14 years of experience in the industry, has worked in the UK, China and Australia.
"Lee has a reputation that precedes him in running large multinational clients such as American Express and IBM," commented Sean O’Brien, CEO of Carat Asia-Pacific. "The expertise Lee has already brought to the General Motors account is really enlightening. We are very happy he is with us."
With regards to the recent resignation of Joel Ewanick, GM's CMO, Ruth Stubbs, CEO iProspect Asia-Pacific, said that the GMIO team was not affected in any way by Ewanick's departure. "It is business as usual," she said.
Stubbs declined to comment on the possible reversal of Ewanick's decision to discontinue advertising with Facebook, saying "We cannot share marketing plans, for obvious reasons."
Walsh's appointment closely follows that of Rosemary Lising by iProspect as regional managing director for search performance, General Motors International Operations (GMIO).