 James Walter Thompson |
WPP chief Mark Read today announced the merger of Wunderman and J. Walter Thompson in a bid to deal with the disruptive wave sweeping over the marketing communications business.
Mel Edwards, CEO of Wunderman, will lead Wunderman Thompson, supported by Tamara Ingram, chief of JWT.
Wunderman Thompson will provide “end-to-end solutions through creative, data commerce, consulting and technology services on a global scale,” according to WPP’s release.
The New York-based entity will launch early next year with 20,000 staffers in 90 markets.
Founded in 1896, JWT is among the oldest names in advertising. It has represented Kraft and Unilever for more than 115 years.
Read, who took over WPP from founder Martin Sorrell, has promised “radical rethinking” to restore momentum to the ad/PR conglomerate.
In September, he announced the merger of Young & Rubicam, another venerable name in advertising, with VML to create VMLY&R with 7,000 employees. Y&R launched in 1923.
Read will update analysts and investors on WPP's strategy in London on Dec. 11.
Business leaders will face challenges in the upcoming year, some of which will come as a complete surprise, or beyond anyone's imagination.
Teneo has hired Philipp Grontzki, who is a 20-year veteran of corporate communications and financial journalism, as a managing director in its strategy and communications group.
Rowan Benecke, who co-founded Zeno Group and helmed Burson-Marsteller's tech practice, has joined McKinsey & Co as director of communications for North America.
BCW has named Golin's Matt Coldagelli EVP and leader of its corporate affairs practice in Chicago.
Abby Bailey, who headed corporate communications for Fedex in its Middle East, India and Africa region, has joined Teneo as managing director in Dubai.
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