WPP has announced that Mark read, CEO of WPP since September 2018, will leave the position and its position as a member of the company’s board on December 31, 2025. As expressed from the group, Read considers that it is the right time to give up the witness to a new leadership, and the search for a successor for it is already underway.
WPP points in a statement that Mark Read will continue to exercise as CEO until the aforementioned date with the intention of guaranteeing a Ordered transition Towards his successor, when he is designated. The manager will continue to work like this to promote the development of the company’s growth strategy.
“Mark has played a fundamental role in the transformation of the company”
Philip Jansen, non -executive president of WPP, has taken the opportunity to thank the work of Read Not only as CEO but during the 30 years that it has been part of the company. “During this time, Mark has played a fundamental role in the transformation of the company into a world leader into modern marketing services, with deep artificial intelligence, data and technology, global presence and an unparalleled creative talent, which has positioned WPP for long -term success for long -term success”; He commented in the statement.
For his part, Mark Read has assured that it has been a privilege to exercise as WPP CEO during the last seven years. “After seven years in office, and with the bases established for the continuous success of WPP, I think it is the right time to give up the leadership of this incredible company“, He said.”I am excited to explore the next chapter of my life and I can only thank all the brilliant people with whom I have been lucky enough to work during the last 30 years, who have made possible the enormous progress we have achieved together ”.
Mark Read has also pointed out that he is proud to have achieved the mission he assumed with the position, to build a simpler and more solid business, and boost creativity and performance, relying on technology. “Our customers value us more than ever, now we work with four of the five most valuable companies in the world and income with our most important customers have grown up constantly”He said.
He also recalled that WPP was appointed creative company of the year in Cannes Lions last year, that the group has positioned itself at the head of investment in artificial intelligence, with the launch of WPP Open. It also points out that the company has a great management team and a solid financial position to address the future with confidence.
Mark Read has also expressed himself through his profile in LinkedIn. On the platform he said: “There is never a perfect time to leave such an organization, but after almost seven years as CEO, I have decided that this is the right time for me“He has written.”I feel very lucky to have worked with so many talented, friendly and dedicated colleagues in WPP, and having made so many friends for a lifetime. We have achieved a lot together”
He has highlighted the Multidisciplinary character of the group and of the talent that integrates it, which ensures is capable of delivering outstanding results for clients. He has also shown the company’s efforts to embrace artificial intelligence and the will to equip professionals with the necessary skills to do a better job thanks to technology.
However, he has made an allegation in favor of Human talent. “Despite all our investments in technology, we are ultimately a company of people“He commented.”It is our people who make things happen, support each other, provide ideas, inspire our clients, discover an increasingly complicated media world and produce a great job and impact work”
The announcement of the succession in WPP leadership arrives just a few days after Middle WPP launch as a global media agency replacing the Groupm brand. It has been presented as a fully integrated media company and promoted by artificial intelligence.
WPP Media replaces the Groupm brand, while Mindshare, Wavemaker and Essencemediacom will continue to operate as marks within WPP Media and provide services to customers.
WPP has undertaken structure simplification processes in recent years
One of Mark Read’s objectives has been Simplify the WPP structure. From 2023 until now, the holding has carried out several restructuring processes, especially highlighting the merger of Wunderman Thompson and Vmly & R in VML The Cocktail and the creation of Burson, emerged from the BCW and Hill & Knowlton Union, its two largest networks of public relations and communication agencies.
The possibility of a change in WPP leadership has been subject to speculation during the last months due to financial results that have not reached expectations in the last quarters and the loss of group leadership as the world’s largest advertising holding company in the world against Publicis Groupe.
Mark Read joined the WPP team in 1989 and has held various leadership positions in the company, including CEO of Digital WPP or WPP Strategy Director. He also worked as Wunderman CEO between 2015 and 2018, the year he assumed the reins of the advertising holding company after the departure of Martin Sorrell.
