Fallon COO and 27 year veteran of the acclaimed Minneapolis creative agency, Mike Buchner, has been appointed CEO, effective June 01.

He succeeds Chris Foster who moves within Publicis Groupe as Chairman and Regional CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Asia Pacific.

Announcing the appointment, Kevin Roberts, Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi Fallon Group, said that Mike Buchner “is an outstanding communications professional who after several senior management roles at Fallon, segues naturally into the lead. Mike has been a pivotal player in the agency’s “A-list” position and he will provide a formidable mix of stability, growth, and vision.

“He will be strongly supported by Chief Creative Officer Darren Spiller and newly appointed Chief Strategy Officer Michael Fanuele, and the entire team at Fallon.”

During his tenure at Fallon, Mike Buchner has served as Director of Account Management, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. Mike joined the agency in 1984 after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism with a master’s degree in Advertising. He earned his undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Illinois.

Founded in 1981 in Minneapolis, Fallon is one of the most critically acclaimed creative companies, delivering innovative strategic business solutions for some of the world’s leading brands.

Fallon’s clients include Cadillac, H&R Block, Nestlé Purina, Nestle Beverages, NBC Universal, Travelers, General Mills, Charter Communications, Nordstrom, The Ladders, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Press contact: Emily Halada, Fallon PR, 1 612 802 7394 emily.halada@fallon.com