Another Canadian agency executive – the latest in an expanding group – has moved to a top job in the u.s.

Bill Whitehead, chairman of Backer Spielvogel Bates Canada, is off to New York to become executive vice-president, worldwide client services for bsb.

Whitehead, who joined bsb 23 years ago, will retain the title of chairman of BSB Canada for a transition period, and also remain as regional director of bsb’s Latin America region.

Malcolm Cullen, now executive vice-president, client services director of BSB Canada, will be named president and chief operating officer of the agency.

Cullen joined BSB Canada in 1992 as group account director.

He began his advertising career at Ogilvy & Mather in South Africa, later working at Hedley Byrne, that country’s largest retail agency and running his own shop.

Michael Bungey, chief executive officer of BSB Worldwide, says Whitehead has a well-earned reputation for his hands-on approach, and has worked well with some of the agency’s largest multinational clients.

bsb has offices in 65 countries and annual billings of more than $5.1 billion.