NEW YORK, March 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- TBWA Worldwide CEO Troy Ruhanen today announced the appointment of Anaka Kobzev as Global Head of Communications, tasked with further developing the collective global communications strategy for TBWA and promoting the company's vision for Disruption(®) in key markets around the world.

Anaka brings with her a wealth of high-profile marketing communications experience, having led both internal and external PR for top agencies over the last 14 years. She joins the global executive team at an important time in TBWA's history in which the company has publicly pledged to achieve a more balanced representation of women in senior leadership roles across the board over the next few years. Beginning April 18, Anaka will be based in TBWA's New York global headquarters and will report to Ruhanen directly.

"I'm thrilled that Anaka is joining TBWA and taking a seat on our global executive team," said Ruhanen. "She is extremely well-versed in the art and architecture of agency communications, and has a keen understanding of our need to market ourselves, our work and our points of view more aggressively to standout in the global marketplace. Communications is a crucial role for our brand, and having reviewed several candidates from both within and outside of our industry, I am confident there is no one better suited to lead us forward."

Anaka comes to TBWA from J. Walter Thompson (JWT) where she served as Director of Communications for North America, responsible for creating and implementing communications strategy and messaging, as well as spearheading media relations, executive visibility and partnerships for the agency's U.S. and Canadian outposts, including the flagship New York office.

Anaka developed a number of successful communications programs to enhance agency presence at major events, including the Cannes Lions Festival, SXSW and Advertising Week. She managed integrated marketing and communications campaigns for national and multinational clients, and was a key part of the team that won Gold for Best In-House Team at the 2015 Global PRWeek Awards.

Prior to JWT, Anaka held a dual role with Interpublic Group (IPG) as Communications Director for McCann Erickson and twofifteenmccann offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Detroit, while also providing support for IPG's west coast units. She oversaw media relations, speaking engagements and events, while also working closely with blue-chip clients including HP, Nestle, Xbox and Under Armour to amplify campaign publicity. While there, she also helped to launch Interpublic's Emerging Media Lab. She started her career in corporate communications at IPG's Initiative.

A graduate of Pepperdine University, Anaka is a member of Advertising Women of New York (AWNY) and New York Women in Communications.

About TBWA Worldwide
TBWA Worldwide (www.tbwa.com) is a top ten ranked global advertising network that holds Disruption® at its core to develop business-changing ideas for the brands it works with. TBWA has 11,500 employees across 301 offices in 97 countries and also includes brands such as AUDITOIRE, BEING, Digital Arts Network (DAN), eg+ worldwide, The Integer Group®, TBWA\Media Arts Lab and TBWA\WorldHealth. TBWA's global clients include Accenture, adidas, Apple, Gatorade, GoDaddy, Henkel, McDonald's, Michelin, Nissan, Pernod Ricard, Pfizer, Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore Airlines, Sotheby's and Vichy. Follow TBWA on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook.

About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (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.

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SOURCE TBWA Worldwide