WPP has appointed Devika Bulchandani, global CEO of Ogilvy, as the media and advertising behemoth’s next chief operating officer, succeeding longtime executive Andrew Scott who retires at the end of the year.
Laurent Ezekiel will replace Bulchandani as the global CEO of WPP’s advertising agency Oglivy and executive sponsor for WPP Open X. Additionally, Floriane Tripolino is being named CEO of WPP Open X, WPP’s bespoke agency team dedicated to The Coca-Cola Company.
WPP CEO Cindy Rose, who took over from Mark Read in July, is overhauling operations at the company, which lost its crown as the world’s biggest ad group to France’s Publicis last year, Reuters reports.
As COO, Bulchandani will be responsible for commercialising services and solutions across WPP to “drive intelligent growth for WPP’s clients worldwide”.
Since Bulchandani took the helm as Global CEO of Ogilvy, she has not only cemented Ogilvy’s position as one of the world’s leading creative networks but has also strategically strengthened and modernised its core capabilities, diversifying the network’s client roster over four years.
Ezekiel will build on that momentum as the new CEO of Ogilvy Group. He will oversee the creative network’s global business, spanning integrated marketing capabilities that include advertising, PR, social & influence, customer engagement, consulting and health. The Ogilvy Group includes creative boutiques such as DAVID, INGO, NCA, Thjnk and Village Marketing, along with Grey, which joined the Ogilvy network in May as part of a strategic realignment.
Ezekiel most recently served as CEO of WPP Open X for The Coca-Cola Company after securing the industry’s largest-ever global marketing agency partnership in 2021.
Rose said: “These appointments underscore WPP’s commitment to delivering unparalleled value and innovation. Devika’s deep obsession with helping our clients grow and win, will help us accelerate our growth across the entire WPP landscape. Laurent’s close, successful partnership with The Coca Cola Company and creation of WPP Open X gives him valuable insight and experience to help navigate the needs of our largest clients, many of which are housed in Ogilvy. These leaders embody the strategic vision and creative excellence that define WPP. Their collective expertise will play a crucial part in helping me drive WPP to our next phase of growth and ensuring our clients continue to win in a rapidly evolving market.”
Bulchandani added: “As we all begin this next chapter at WPP, I’m energised by the immense potential ahead. I truly believe that when we seamlessly bring together WPP’s world-class capabilities, we become an invincible force – one that unlocks unparalleled value for our clients. I look forward to collaborating with Cindy and leaders across WPP to amplify that impact and drive even greater success for our partners.”
