Omnicom-owned media agency PHD has poached EssenceMediacom’s global product and solutions officer Vincent Rebeix, dealing a further blow to the beleaguered WPP outfit.

Taking on the global chief operating officer role at PHD, Rebeix is set to be based in London and will report in to global CEO Guy Marks. He will assume responsibility for the development of products, processes and operating model to fulfil client needs.

Rebeix’s new position marks a new role for the media firm, and forms part of its efforts to exert greater control over the lucrative Uber and Volkswagen accounts.

“I would say the majority of Rebeix’s role is really going to be focused on global clients, which is, ‘How do we set ourselves up for success? How do we configure to deliver the best work that we can in partnership?,” Marks told Campaign.

“What you could say is that, historically, that’s been in response to a client brief, and this [role] is recognition from me to say it’s become so core to our success, we’re now going to proactively invest in this area, and we must move from responsive to predictive.”

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Taking up his new role effective from October, Rebeix had been an EssenceMediacom stalwart having worked at the agency since its Mediacom days from 2008, when he joined as an account executive.

His departure will no doubt cause further concern at EssenceMediacom, which has also lost its flagship Sky and L’Oréal remits to Publicis in the last few weeks.

On his appointment, Rebeix added: “Throughout my career, I have delivered growth for clients and organisations by uncovering and executing against transformation opportunities.

“As global chief operating officer, my mandate will be integrating these strengths to create meaningful value for our clients and our people around the world.”