What you need to know:

• Publicis Sapient Managing Director Sarah Adam-Gedge has joined Wipro.
• Apac Managing Director Emma Louise Scales leading Australian business on interim basis.
• Group CEO Michael Rebelo says unit on track for strong growth this year and next.

Publicis seeks a new local boss for digital transformation unit Sapient following Managing Director Sarah Adam-Gedge’s defection to Indian-owned enterprise technology and services giant Wipro.

Apac Managing Director, Emma Louise Scales, has added the Australian operation to her remit on an interim basis.

Publicis Sapient, described by Publicis Groupe ANZ CEO Michael Rebelo as the ‘growth engine’ of its business, should have a permanent lead in place before the year-end, the firm told Mi3.

Rebelo thanked Adam-Gedge for steering Publicis Sapient through Covid while shaping its strategy over the last two and a half years, including the acquisition of management and e-commerce consultancy Third Horizon last March.

“Sarah’s leadership has placed out business in a strong position and we wish her the best for her future endeavours,” said Rebelo.

“The search for the permanent Australian MD is well underway and we expect to have further announcements before the end of the year.”

He said the firm remains “on track for strong growth across 2021 and 2022” with clients showing no loss of appetite for digital transformation services.