Potential Contenders, According to Ad Industry Insiders, Likely to Succeed Mark Read in His Position
In the wake of Mark Read's announcement to vacate the CEO position at WPP come December 2025, the rumor mill is spinning about who'll take the helm of this advertising juggernaut. Here's a lowdown on some potential internal and external contenders:
Internal Contenders
- Brian Lesser: WPP Media's global CEO, Lesser has proven his mettle in the media realm. His possible edge lies in his deep understanding of the digital landscape as WPP grapples with its evolution.
- Devika Bulchandani: A force to reckon with as the global CEO of Ogilvy, Bulchandani flaunts a strong track record in creative and integrated marketing. Her leadership at Ogilvy showcases her ability to bolster the creative side of WPP.
- Jon Cook: Known for helming digital marketing giant VML, Cook could be the ticket that helps WPP tackle tech-centric challenges.
- Johnny Hornby: As CEO of WPP's communications agency division, Hornby's strong leadership skills have allowed him to manage diverse agency operations successfully.
External Prospects
- Philip Jansen: Despite being an outsider, Jansen has caught the eye due to his years of leadership experience. With a background in technology and management, he might be the one to guide WPP through its upcoming strategic shifts.
Fun Fact: Jansen was once the CEO of British Telecommunications (BT) and might have had his eye on the WPP position since becoming its chairman in 2024[1].
- David Droga: The creative mind behind Droga5, an innovative advertising agency acquired by Accenture, offers a fresh perspective and a reputation for fostering creativity and innovation.
- Stephan Pretorius: Despite limited available information, Pretorius's experience in digital media and technology could be a valuable asset for WPP.
- Emily Del Greco: Her potential inclusion as a candidate hints at her having the necessary skills for WPP's future direction, though more information about her qualifications and background is needed[1][2][4].
As the hunt is on for the next WPP CEO, one thing's for certain: this individual will need to be adept at managing complex transformations, staying agile in the face of technological disruptions, and driving innovation while maintaining operational efficiency[1][2][4].
- The potential new CEO of WPP may be drawn from either internal or external contenders, such as David Droga, who brings a fresh perspective and a reputation for fostering creativity and innovation from his position as the CEO of Droga5.
- To successfully navigate the evolving digital landscape, the next CEO of WPP must possess a thorough understanding of technology, demonstrating leadership experience like Philip Jansen, who was the CEO of British Telecommunications and has since become WPP's chairman in 2024.
- As WPP continues its growth in the realm of defi, investing, education-and-self-development, and other sectors, the new CEO should be prepared to assume a position of strategic importance, drive innovation, and lead the company through complex transformations, much like Jon Cook, a digital marketing expert known for steering VML.
