LONDON—Lexis has named new management of the agency following the decision of CEO Jason Gallucci to step down.

Gallucci departs after four years with the Next 15 firm and plans to create marketing products, he told the Holmes Report.

"I plan to keep working with Lexis in some way as I embark on creating products that support marketing teams in the new digital age," said Gallucci. "I have loved the last 4 years at Lexis and am extremely proud of the transformation that we have gone through. I leave behind a strong team who I know can continue the journey." 

In his place, Dominic Shales has been promoted to managing director while adman Stephen Woodford will take on a more active role in the chairman position that he assumed last year.

Next 15 CEO Tim Dyson told the Holmes Report that Gallucci's exit did not signal a fundamental shift of strategy at Lexis, which has experienced some challenging recent years, including the loss of its key Boots account.

"I think you would describe their performance as mixed over the last few years," said Dyson, adding that Next15 remains committed to investing in Lexis' transition to a more digital business.

"If anything, Stephen [Woodford] has pretty aggressive agency pedigree in the paid arena — he will definitely bring a very different attitude towards creative," added Dyson. "If there’s any shift, it’s more down to the way we execute rather than any strategic shift."

Shales becomes MD less than two years after his agency Paratus was acquired by Lexis. Since the deal, he has worked as head of digital, planning and content at Lexis.