Wolff Olins Global CEO leaves to join Apple

It was reported on Friday that Wolff Olins Global CEO Karl Heiselman has been hired away by Apple and will start working in a new marketing communications position at the company in May. Heiselman, who previously worked for Apple as a contract designer in the 1990s before Steve Jobs’ return, told Ad Age he is leaving Wolff Olins after 14 years for “an exciting new role” at Apple. Half of his tenure at the branding agency was spent as CEO.

Wolff Olins Global CEO Karl Heiselman is leaving the branding agency to join Apple next month in a marketing communications role, he told Ad Age Friday. Mr. Heiselman confirmed by email that he accepted “an exciting new role at Apple after 14 fantastic years at Wolff Olins,” but referred further questions to Apple. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment. “After an amazing 14 years at Wolff Olins, seven as Global CEO, Karl Heiselman is moving on to join Apple in California,” a Wolff Olins spokeswoman said in an email. Mr. Heiselman will be succeeded by Ije Nwokorie, who currently runs Wolff Olins’ London office, effective April 17. Wolff Olins is part of Omnicom Group.