by MarkLives (@marklives)

“To all my friends at Y&R, past and current — it was a pleasure and an honour,” says Schwartz in a statement released by the agency group. “You are my heroes. Love you all. I look forward to seeing Y&R thrive as the agency network builds on Africa’s momentum.”

According to Schwartz, he will be focusing on building his whisky business: “I have been bottling single malt since 2007. And I am going to be developing the Single & Single brand to be of magnitude. The next expression is being bottled, as we speak. We will only be bottling rare, sherry cask, single malt. I have a passion for real tangible products. Away from virtual. Life is beautiful.”

Schwartz was instrumental in WPP’s acquisition of NATIVE VML, as well as the group’s expansion into East and West Africa.

According to Jason Xenopoulos, group CEO of Y&R South Africa and NATIVE VML, Schwartz’s “deep insights into the African region, his strong leadership skills and his unwavering passion for Y&R has contributed to the extension of the Y&R network and digital partner agencies across the continent.”

— Sign up now for the MarkLives email newsletter every Monday and Thursday, now including headlines from the Ramify.biz company newsroom service!