Ex-Cadillac Boss LaNeve Heads Lincoln’s Ad Agency

Mark LaNeve, former Cadillac general manager and ex-chief of U.S. sales at General Motors Co., has been appointed president of Hudson Rouge, the advertising agency for Ford Motor Co.'s struggling Lincoln brand.

LaNeve succeeds Cameron Naughton, who led the New York City-based agency since its creation in 2011. Naughton will step down early next month.

LaNeve takes over as Lincoln's effort this year to reposition itself are floundering. The marque's sales plunged 24% to 15,900 vehicles in the first quarter of 2013.

LaNeve will retain the title of COO of Team Detroit, where he leads global advertising strategy and operations for the Ford and Lincoln makes. He joined the Dearborn, Mich.-based agency last August.

Hudson Rouge and Team Detroit are both subsidiaries of U.K.-based WPP Group.