LONDON & NEW YORK — WPP has announced that Jon Cook, Global CEO of VML and CEO of WPP Creative, will leave the holding company to pursue his next career endeavor. Cook will maintain his current leadership duties through March 2027 to facilitate a seamless executive transition.
Eric Campbell, currently CEO of VML and WPP Creative in North America, will succeed Cook as Global CEO of VML in March 2027 while retaining his responsibilities as CEO of WPP Creative North America.
Leadership Profiles & Organizational Achievements
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Jon Cook (Outgoing Global CEO):
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Tenure: Three decades of leadership, growing VML from a regional Kansas City digital shop into a global network across 55+ markets.
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Integration Leadership: Spearheaded the 2024 merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson to establish VML, combining brand experience, customer experience, commerce, data, and technology.
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WPP Creative Strategy: Named CEO of WPP Creative in February 2026 under WPP’s Elevate28 strategy, managing a portfolio including VML, Ogilvy, Grey, Burson, AKQA, Landor, and Design Bridge & Partners.
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Industry Honors: Oversaw VML’s recognition as Campaign’s 2026 Global Agency of the Year and ranking as the #2 Creative Network of the Year at Cannes Lions.
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Eric Campbell (Incoming Global CEO):
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Tenure: Over 25 years with VML in key executive roles, including President of VML, Global President of VMLY&R, Global Chief Client Officer, and CEO of VML North America.
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Transition Role: Partners with Cook immediately to assume global oversight before formally stepping into the Global CEO role in March 2027.
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Executive Commentary
Commentary on the leadership transition from holding company leadership and outgoing/incoming executives:
“Jon’s contribution to VML, WPP, and our entire industry has been extraordinary… Eric has been central to VML’s success for more than 25 years… He knows this business deeply and has the trust of teams and clients around the world.”
— Cindy Rose, CEO of WPP
“After three decades of pouring everything I have into this agency and all of WPP, it is time to build something new. VML and WPP Creative are operating from positions of tremendous strength, and this is the right moment for other voices to lead.”
— Jon Cook, Global CEO of VML and WPP Creative
