GroupM China's Michael Zhang resigns

The company said Zhang is resigning to pursue other interests, effective today. He stepped up to the CSO role last September after more than eight years as head of MediaCom. He has been with GroupM China for more than 20 years.

“He was instrumental in every step of GroupM China’s development," Patrick Xu, CEO of GroupM China, said in a release. "We are grateful for his service and we wish him even greater success in his future endeavors."

A spokesperson said Xu will take over Zhang's responsibilities, and that the company will not seek to fill the CSO role.

GroupM named Rupert McPetrie, the outgoing head for Central and Eastern Europe at ZenithOptimedia, as the new MediaCom CEO for China in June. APAC CEO Mark Heap had been acting China CEO since Zhang’s move to GroupM.