Ford's Team Detroit To Make Ex-GM Exec Its No. 2 In Escalation of Crosstown Rivalry

Ford Motor Co. is escalating its long-standing rivalry with General Motors. Ford's advertising agency, Team Detroit, a unit of Great Britain's WPP PLC, is planning to install Mark LaNeve as its chief operating officer. 

Doron Levin reports LaNeve, 53, was a long-time GM executive who left in the wake of the company's 2009 bankruptcy.

LaNeve will serve as No. 2 to Satish Korde, Team Detroit's chief executive officer. He will occupy a key post commanding Ford's marketing initiatives worldwide, according to sources close to the company.

 A Ford spokesperson was not immediately available to provide comment.