Thomas L. Harrison, Chairman Diversified Agency Services Division of Omnicom Group, Named Chairman Emeritus

NEW YORK, March 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) today announced that Thomas L. Harrison, chairman of its Diversified Agency Services division (DAS), will become chairman emeritus of the division effective April 1. 

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In making the announcement, John D. Wren, CEO and president of Omnicom Group said, "For sixteen years, Tom has brought entrepreneurial passion, strategic insight and counsel, and excellence to his leadership role at DAS."

Built upon organic client growth and strategic acquisition, DAS is widely acknowledged as the industry's premier network of specialty marketing and communications companies.

According to Dale A. Adams, DAS CEO and president, "I have had the privilege of working closely with Tom for more than 15 years now and he has made a distinctive difference in the professional lives of all those around him. I could not be more pleased that as chairman emeritus, Tom will be available as a trusted advisor." Adams continued, "As you look at the continuum of his career, Tom has had great impact at every point along the way – with clients, with talent and throughout our global enterprise."

Said Harrison, "I am very proud of what we have accomplished at DAS - how we are defined today and how we compete in the changing world of marketing and communications.  It is gratifying to see the intellectual value we provide across disciplines and how we help our clients, their businesses and brands win."  Harrison continued, "We have built a strong and palpable culture driven by an entrepreneurial mindset and behavior. Our people bring that entrepreneurial, innovative and insightful approach to their client relationships and their work around the world.  I am honored to have contributed to our success and, as always, will remain ready to provide Dale and DAS with my strategic advice and counsel as they continue to succeed."

Harrison began his career with Omnicom Group in 1992 when it acquired the Harrison & Star Business Group, a highly successful healthcare marketing communications group, which he co-founded.  He was appointed president of DAS in 1997 and the next year was named DAS chairman and CEO.  In December 2011, Adams, then president of DAS, succeeded Harrison as CEO, with Harrison continuing as chairman.

Harrison holds a Master of Science in Cell Biology and Physiology from West Virginia University and in 2007 was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from that school.  Harrison also has been honored for his philanthropic work by The Children's Hospital at Montefiore, The Lymphoma Research Foundation, New York City's Health and Hospital Corporation, Long Island College Hospital, Mt. St. Vincent's College, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the New York Arthritis Foundation. Harrison will continue as a board director of organizations including Montefiore Hospital, Morgans Hotel Group, Dipexium Pharmaceuticals, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the New York Academy of Sciences. 

Harrison is the author of "Instinct: Tapping Your Entrepreneurial DNA to Achieve your Business Goals."

About Diversified Agency Services
Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc. (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

For further information on Omnicom and its brands, please visit www.omnicomgroup.com.

SOURCE Omnicom Group Inc.