WPP appoints new global CEO of GroupM as Christian Juhl steps down

Brian Lesser has been appointed global chief executive of GroupM, with Christian Juhl to step down and take on a new role at WPP later this year.

Lesser will be rejoining GroupM in September after seven years away from the group in a variety of roles.

He is currently chairman and CEO of data platform InfoSum and was previously CEO North America at GroupM between 2015 and 2017.

After five years in the role, Juhl will be stepping down to take on the role of president, corporate development at WPP.

Mark Read, chief executive of WPP, thanked Juhl for his contribution “to the success of Essence, GroupM, WPP” over the past nine years, reflecting his leadership of Essence prior to its merger with MediaCom.

Speaking of Lesser’s appointment, he added: “Brian is one of the industry’s most highly regarded executives with a track record of success in data- and technology-driven marketing. GroupM, its agencies and its brilliant people are in many respects the engine of WPP.

“Brian not only knows GroupM inside out, but also has a strong vision for the future of the business. We are delighted to welcome him back to WPP.”