Brown (pictured) has led Kantar’s global media division, formerly Kantar Media, since 2013. His next career move is unknown.

His exit follows the departure of chief executive Eric Salama earlier in the year after the company’s partial sale to private equity firm Bain Capital.

Kantar has appointed Serge Lupas to replace Brown on an interim basis. Lupas joins the company on secondment from advisory firm AlixPartners, where he is currently managing director of a practice focusing on digital, technology, telecoms and media. He will return to the company after the secondment. He has previously held roles at Bain and other advisory companies including McKinsey and Signal Invest.

Kantar Media was formed from WPP’s acquisition of TNS Media and KMR Group in 2010. Kantar Media was dropped as a brand name in 2019 as part of the company’s move to operate its businesses under the single Kantar brand.

WPP completed its sale of 60% of Kantar in December 2019. 

Kantar has not yet appointed a new chief executive to succeed Salama. 

Adam Crozier, formerly chief executive of ITV, was appointed as chairman of the company in February.

Crozier said: “Serge has excellent experience and credentials from across the technology, media, advertising and communications landscape. He brings to us over 20 years of leadership and extensive expertise in improving, building and transforming global, digital businesses. He will focus on delivering against our plans for 2020, and a plan for the longer term.”