Jim Holbrook is leaving Zipatoni to become the CEO of EMAK Worldwide next week.

Holbrook takes the reins on Nov. 14 from EMAK co-founder Stephen Robeck, who has acted as EMAK's interim president-CEO since the May resignation of Don Kurz, who had been EMAK's president-CEO for six years. (Kurz resigned from EMAK's board of directors in August.)

Holbrook has been with Zipatoni for 10 years, most recently as CEO, with the added title of COO of sister shop Marketing Drive.

Holbrook was attracted by EMAK's client list (including Burger King, Miller Brewing and Kellogg Co.), its roots in the entertainment business, and its China component, "both sourcing premiums from China, and pushing marketing programs into China," he said. For now, Holbrook will commute between his home in St. Louis and EMAK's Los Angeles headquarters. He also becomes a director on EMAK's board; Robeck remains chairman of the board.

EMAK is pushing hard to set a cohesive growth strategy for its collection of promotions agencies, including Equity Marketing, Upshot, Johnson Grossfield, SCI Promotion, Pop Rocket and Logistix. In June, EMAK hired J. Brown Agency veteran Jon Kramer as its first-ever group president (June 9 Xtra).

EMAK ranked No. 25 in the 2005 PROMO 100 with 2004 net revenues of $40.2 million, up 9% from 2002. EMAK reported third-quarter 2005 revenues of nearly $50 million, and projects full-year 2005 revenues will be marginally lower than 2004. The holding company will close Johnson Grossfield's Minneapolis office by yearend, following its loss of Subway, its biggest client.

Meanwhile, Karen Sauder is poised to take charge at Zipatoni: The IPG-owned shop promoted Sauder to president (from executive VP-general manager) last month, taking over day-to-day management from Holbrook (Oct. 6 Xtra).

"Zipatoni is on the upswing," Holbrook said. "We've replaced all the Miller revenues [lost in March] and have a much broader client list. It's the first time in 20 years that Zipatoni is not beholden to one major client."

Zipatoni ranked No. 44 in the 2005 PROMO 100 with estimated 2004 net revenues of $28 million, up an estimated 1% from 2002.