Foucaud, who has returned to Paris for personal reasons, has been replaced by Matt Semple, ZenithOptimedia’s regional development director, while the agency seeks a permanent replacement.
Foucaud joined the Publicis Groupe media buyer in May after a six-year stint running TNS Media.
He replaced Rabe Iyer,who relocated to India to run ZenithOptimedia’s West and South India operations. Semple will be supported by associate GM Ven- kat Kotamaraju and Andrew Mortlock, business director of sister agency Starcom.
Separately, News Outdoor Group, the out-of-home division of News Corporation, has bought a stake in Vietnamese outdoor media services firm Youth Advertising.
News Outdoor Southeast Asia acquired a 30 per cent stake in the company, one of Vietnam’s top five outdoor media businesses. “It takes a long time to establish a foothold in Vietnam,” said News Outdoor Southeast Asia CFO Nick Fraser. “So, when a good opportunity comes along, it’s important to take it. Youth Advertising is a solid company with good Government connections.”
