LONDON — Text100 has concluded a lengthy search for its new EMEA leader by appointing Rod Cartwright to the role. 

Cartwright, who becomes EMEA regional director of the Next15 firm, arrives after a decade at Ketchum, where he was most recently director of global corporate and public affairs. At Text100, he succeeds Cecile Missildine, who makes a planned transition to head of global insights and analytics after five years leading EMEA.

Cartwright's appointment follows considerable change at Text100, much of which has been led by the firm's London office. The recent integration with consumer shop Lexis was just the latest move in a series of mergers and acquisitions and have seen Text100 reposition and emerge with an expanded service portfolio.

"It’s an agency with real momentum," Cartwright told the Holmes Report. "With its renowned culture and strong reputation for creativity, the opportunity for Text100 is immense in a world of convergence and integration."

Having started his career as a government relations specialist, Cartwright also previously held board-level positions at Hill & Knowlton and GCI. However, he noted that the agility and technology heritage of Text100 might present an advantage in today's PR world. "There is also a natural agility in the mindset of people at Text," said Cartwright. "Where Text has now come from historically in terms of its original tech roots has set it up incredibly well to succeed."

Cartwright takes charge next week of an EMEA operation that includes the flagship London office along with Stockholm, Amsterdam, Paris, Munich, Milan and Madrid.

"His arrival underlines our commitment to becoming the fastest-growing marketing communications agency that inspires in a world transformed by technology," added Hynes. "Cecile Missildine has done an amazing job for us across the EMEA region and has laid the best possible foundations for her successor."