RGA merges US and LATAM operations
EXCLUSIVE: April Quinn will oversee the region as Americas president in digital agency’s latest restructure.
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Why Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery are teaming up on sports — and the challenges they will face
Pooling together resources will allow the companies to more aggressively compete with deep-pocketed tech giants, but they risk cannibalising their own linear businesses, according to analysts and media buyers.
David Droga on moving from being a creative in business to building a business on creativity
The Accenture Song CEO speaks with Campaign about his vision for the company and where creativity plays a role.
Tech company creative fails underline value of agency perspectives
Recent work created in-house by tech firms has received backlash for not getting the tone right. Perhaps the external input of an agency team would help.
Stagwell smashes new business records as costs rise in Q2
Revenue grew 6% year over year as the ‘challenger holding company’ won new clients such as Chevy and Cadillac.
Omnicom consolidates creative agencies globally under Omnicom Advertising Group
EXCLUSIVE: Led by former TBWA Worldwide CEO Troy Ruhanen, OAG aims to scale innovation and knowledge sharing across the holding company’s creative networks.
What brands can learn from Kamala Harris about going viral
As marketers struggle to navigate the right moment to latch onto online trends, they can look to Harris and her team as a blueprint.
Omnicom Media Group drives away with most of Uber’s global media business
The six month review concluded with Omnicom’s media network picking up the $600 million business in North America, Europe and Latin America.
GroupM sunsets Xaxis, Sightline and Finecast brands as Nexus reorganises
EXCLUSIVE: Nicola Lewis is elevated to global chief solutions officer in a new structure that aims to make Nexus and its performance solutions easier for clients to access.
Ad execs share their holiday pitching horror stories
An early January pitch is an ad exec’s worst nightmare.
Three New Year's resolutions for agencies and clients in the pitch room
From more alignment on pitches to exploring new business models, agency CEOs and marketing leaders share their resolutions for a better working relationship.
Tina Allan named global chief data and intelligence officer at FCB
EXCLUSIVE: She continues to infuse data and audience-driven intelligence into the creative agency’s processes and lead FCB Six.
Grey assembles global leadership team for Coca-Cola account
The five-person team will span disciplines from creative to CX and tap into global talent for parent WPP’s largest client.
How brands are responding to the Israel-Gaza war
Global companies are suspending operations in Israel and asking employees to work from home as they express support for teams in the region and Jewish colleagues around the globe. The complexity of the situation leaves business leaders and marketers again walking a geopolitical tightrope.
Campaign Chemistry: AKQA founder and CEO Ajaz Ahmed
Ahmed talks about 30 years at AKQA and how the agency stays ahead of the curve.
Ogilvy elevates Kent Wertime to oversee experience unit under Ogilvy One brand
EXCLUSIVE: Wertime will lead the new global division alongside his dual role as co-CEO of Ogilvy APAC.
Stagwell lowers guidance, projects negative growth for 2023
Q3 organic net revenue declined 7% YOY as the holding company was hit by a pullback from tech clients, among other factors.
IPG underperforms peers again in Q3: ‘Results did not measure up to expectations’
The holding company reported a 0.4% organic growth decrease year-on-year as it continues to face pressure from lower spending by tech and telecom clients and underperformance of its digital agencies.
Is it possible to prioritise AI safety as much as innovation in a for-profit industry?
Tensions within OpenAI’s board spotlight the challenge of commercialising AI and establishing competitive advantage while also setting up guardrails.
DDB elevates Tomas Gonsorcik to global chief strategy officer
EXCLUSIVE: He fills the role previously held by Omnicom chief strategy officer Alex Hesz.
Stagwell latest holding company to be hit by tech pullback
The holding company’s organic growth dipped 5% YOY in Q2, prompting it to downgrade its full-year outlook and lay off staff.
Jacquelyn Baker named CEO of Omnicom Commerce Group
EXCLUSIVE: The former VMLY&R Commerce chief experience officer replaces Sophie Daranyi, who is leaving to pursue opportunities in consulting and nonprofit work.
Brands: Make us proud
With so many brands disappointing and retreating this Pride month, companies have an opportunity to double down on their values and stand out.
IPG declines 1.7% in Q2 as tech pullback drags revenue
The holding company’s organic net revenue suffered as tech clients “weighed significantly” on growth and digital agencies continued to underperform.
Omnicom’s John Wren: AI cannot replace human “inspiration and genius”
The holding company CEO spoke to investors about recent AI investments during its second quarter earnings call, in which it reported 3.4% organic growth.
Under Armour names OMD global media AOR
The sportswear brand’s account was previously held by Publicis Media.
Uber launches an advertising division
The new team will be led by former Sizmek CEO and Amazon Advertising director Mark Grether.
Devika Bulchandani aims to inject a shot of vitality into Ogilvy
Bulchandani shares her global vision for the iconic WPP agency and her perspectives on talent, creativity, diversity and the agency business.
Omnicom brings on Andrea Lennon as first chief client officer
The Critical Mass vet will work on driving integration and innovation for the holding company’s top 50 clients.
Simplification, responsibility, automation: GroupM’s approach to a changing market
EXCLUSIVE: GroupM global investment lead Andrew Meaden shares how the world’s largest media buyer is approaching a changed media landscape ahead of the 2023 upfronts.
Simplification, responsibility, automation: GroupM’s approach to a changing market
EXCLUSIVE: GroupM global investment lead Andrew Meaden shares how the world’s largest media buyer is approaching a changed media landscape ahead of the 2023 upfronts.
AI and offshoring underpin permanent revolution in holding company strategies
As the agency business faces economic uncertainty and reshapes itself for the future of work, holding companies are leaning into artificial intelligence and offshoring.
Omnicom grows 5.2% organically in Q1 but caution abounds
CEO John Wren spoke about economic uncertainty related to rising interest rates and shared more about the group’s RTO plans.
Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun: ‘Our transformation is complete’
Sadoun talks through the holding company’s strong Q1 2023 results and gives insight into his strategy for the business, talent and more.
Publicis surpasses Omnicom as second-largest holding company by revenue
The French holding company said it has grown by nearly 50% since 2019 as its platform model pays off.
Omnicom’s John Wren on the future of work, the business and succession plans
EXCLUSIVE: Wren spoke with Campaign US about recent changes to Omnicom’s office return policy, his outlook on the business for the second half of the year and his vision for Omnicom’s future.
Agencies will feel impact of tech layoffs, but carnage won’t be as bad
Tech companies laid off thousands of workers in the past month, casting a dark shadow over the white-collar labor market — but the impact on the agency sector is unlikely to be as grim.
Nielsen One Ads makes its debut, with support from ad buyers
Ad buyers are generally supportive of Nielsen’s attempt to overhaul its measurement systems but are still building towards a world with multiple currency providers.
Publicis takes Working with Cancer pledge to the Super Bowl
The initiative, which aims to raise awareness and support for people struggling with cancer in the workplace, will launch a consumer-facing campaign at Super Bowl LVII.
Digital agencies weigh on IPG’s 2023 growth forecast
Despite strong 7% y-o-y organic growth in 2022, Interpublic Group expects softness at agencies including R/GA and Huge to drag on 2023 performance.
Omnicom grew nearly double-digits in 2022, but 2023 outlook is cautious
The holding company is seeing tailwinds from e-commerce, healthcare and media but remains cautious in its 2023 outlook.
The promises and perils AI-powered search
Tech columnist Kevin Roose’s New York Times column depicts the dystopian possibilities of generative AI in stark light — and the implications for brands are real.
Susan Wojcicki to leave YouTube
The YouTube CEO steps down after nine years at the helm of the world’s largest video sharing site and nearly 25 years at Google.
Mediahub joins Mediabrands with an eye toward global expansion
EXCLUSIVE: The media agency joins the IPG-owned media holding company after spinning out of MullenLowe in 2019.
Brian Wieser to leave GroupM
EXCLUSIVE: The prolific industry analyst has been president of global business intelligence at the media buying giant for nearly three years.
The NFL kicks off global review to consolidate its $400 million media account
The review impacts all of the pro football league’s current media agencies.
Is the World Cup worth the investment for brands?
Between human rights violations, a corruption scandal and a global recession, the 2022 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament poses a tricky balancing act for advertisers.
Adland steps up urgency in climate messaging around COP27
Campaign asked ad executives and industry sustainability experts about how the messaging has changed at this year’s global climate summit—and whether adland has stepped up its role in fighting the climate crisis.
Twitter ad pause will have ‘little impact’ on media plans, ad buyers say
Social-media platform, which has witnessed a ‘massive drop’ in ad revenue, was already a minor platform on ad plans, according to media agency executives.
Midterm ads are angry, overspent and misinformed
Ads leading up to the U.S. midterm elections next week are not just negative, they are also misinforming, angering and exhausting the public.
Stagwell posts double-digit growth as holding companies buck downturn trend
The holding company joins WPP, Publicis, IPG and Omnicom in posting growth in Q3.
McCann Worldgroup brings on first chief audience architect
Nathan Brown joins from UM to infuse audience thinking across the network.
Nielsen gets its MRC accreditation back in the US
The measurement giant regains certification for its flagship national TV measurement product just ahead of 2023 upfront.
Marketers bet too big on the metaverse
It’s another cautionary tale of chasing the next shiny object.
The industry’s two-faced stance on climate change
Agencies are working to make their own operations sustainable but they remain committed to working for fossil fuel clients.
Parody campaign in US tells women to “eff urself” as abortion restrictions tighten
The campaign by Women that Fight, a coalition of advertising creatives, takes the dystopian view that women can protect themselves from abortion restrictions by abstaining from sex – and using a sex toy instead.
Why Makers puts production at the tip of the spear
The global production network, operating in 173 countries, brings production to the top of the creative process and integrates it throughout.
What happens when the great resignation collides with layoffs?
Continued volatility on the talent front meets a cooling of the ad market amid a tough economic outlook.
Stagwell leans into media integration as it maintains double-digit growth
The holding company grew 16% organically in Q2 thanks largely to digital services and integration between creative and media.
The three factors driving Google’s cookie delay
Regulatory pressures, lack of industry enthusiasm and potential cost hits continue to delay the inevitable.
Will the ad industry benefit from Big Tech’s layoffs?
Question of the week: As tech companies lay off staff and freeze hiring, Campaign US asked industry leaders whether the ad industry stands to benefit.
Can Wunderman Thompson Health stay at the forefront of diversity and inclusion?
The shop's global chief creative officer and chief medical explore the intersection of creativity, technology and health.
FCB promotes two leaders to global C-suite
Bella Patel is promoted to global chief talent officer; Mark Jungwirth is named global chief financial officer.
VCCP launches global gaming offering – but don’t call it the metaverse
The agency is building games marketing into a core function for clients called VCCP+.
Havas Media Group promotes Greg James to new global transformation role
James will focus on improving and adapting the client experience for the future.
Omnicom grew 10.2% in 2021 as pandemic impacts receded
Precision marketing now accounts for 8% of the holding company’s revenue as clients’ digital transformation needs grow.
Martin Sorrell: Flexible work 'will be more permanent than people think'
Sorrell deep-dives on the state of MediaMonks’ business, looks to Latin America for creative excellence and embraces more flexible, hybrid work.
NBCUniversal launches an identity platform
The solution will power personalized advertising across the media giant’s properties.
Nike set to kick off $1 billion global media review
All of the major holding companies are invited to pitch.
MediaLink pulls the plug on CES 2022
Major brands, agencies and tech companies have canceled their in-person attendance in the past 48 hours due to fear over the Omicron variant.
Pitchapalooza: The biggest reviews of 2021
2021 was a bonanza year for pitches as marketers looked for future-facing agency models.
Microsoft to acquire AT&T’s Xandr
The sale marks the end of AT&T’s venture in the content and advertising business.
5 things the ad industry should ditch in 2022
As we contemplate a new year, the industry has made a lot of progress since the global reckoning of 2020 - but the work is just getting started.
Media.Monks' Wesley ter Haar on the future of creativity and hiring more "makers" to creative teams
The co-founder of the challenger network speaks of combining 24 companies across digital, content and data.
Publicis to let employees work abroad for six weeks every year
'Work Your World' is an initiative that allows Publicis employees to work from another city where the company has an office for up to six weeks every year.
Norwegian Cruise Line sets sail with Digitas as global media AOR
Digitas will handle the cruise line’s media business in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Brazil.
The New York Times highlights subscribers in new campaign
The publisher is leaning into a subscription-first strategy after amassing more than 10 million paid users.
The Great Resignation hits CMOs
Recent high-profile chief marketer departures underscore the growing complexity of the job.
IPG earnings boosted by media, data, tech offerings
The holding company posted 11.9% organic growth in 2021, with Asia Pacific growing 9.7% organically.
Dept acquires Raybeam, expands US data chops
The European digital agency has been on a growth tear in the US, which now accounts for nearly half its business.
Lynn Lewis elevated to global CMO of Mediabrands as UM taps Joe DeMiero as US CEO
DeMiero joins from Publicis agency Hawkeye.
GroupM sets parameters for new measurement partners in the US
The media buying giant aims to bring the buy side’s voice to the TV measurement conversation with a new set of standards for partners.
Why Bayer Consumer Healthcare's global CMO encourages marketers to push boundaries
Patricia Corsi talks about elevating creativity in a sector that has not valued this facet of marketing.
Reprise names Jarrod Martin global CEO
Campaign US sat down with Martin and newly appointed Initiative global CEO Dimitri Maex to discuss leadership changes at IPG Mediabrands’ agencies.
Major ad holding companies to fund staff travel for abortion access
Three of the ad industry’s largest agency holding companies have revamped their benefits packages to fund travel for women seeking abortions in the US, in wake of the Supreme Court’s leaked memo.
Mark Penn: Stagwell hits scale, ‘takes share’ from the holding companies
The new holding company is gaining ground with bigger clients and scaling internationally, Penn said on its Q1 earnings report.
Brazilian creatives call out Cannes Lions for lack of diversity in jury
Just one of the 24 Brazilian jurors selected for the 2022 festival are Black, despite half of the Brazilian population being Black.
Are the glory days over for the platforms?
After poor performance in Q1 and an ominous note from Snap about cutting its forecast for Q2, investors are spooked by the outlook for the digital ad market.
Heineken sends RFI to creative agencies
The global brewer is looking to kick off meetings in Cannes in pursuit of a new global creative ecosystem.
Nielsen to sell to private equity for $16 billion
The embattled measurement company rejected a previous takeover offer.
On the ground in Ukraine: One agency shares its wartime experience
A week into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, staffers at Kyiv-based ad agency Bickerstaff provide a window into daily life under fire.
Huge adds Frisco Chau as global head of data and insights
The appointment will support global CEO Mat Baxter’s vision to put data at the centre of the agency.
IPG suspends operations in Russia
CEO Philippe Krakowsky cited failed ceasefire talks and escalating attacks on civilians.
Alex Lopez on redefining McCann Worldgroup's client work
The longtime Nike executime, now global chief creative officer and president at McCann Worldgroup, speaks about his first 100 days on the job.
Ogilvy hires Mick McCabe as global chief strategy officer
McCabe replaces Ben Richards, who left the agency in June to start a new venture.
Stagwell posts nearly 15% organic growth in 2021
The holding company closed out the year strong after completing its merger with MDC Partners.
IPG posts nearly 10% growth in Q1, updates 2022 forecast
The holding company has changed its reporting segments to emphasize “integrated, multi-agency services.”
Michelin names Ogilvy global CRM agency of record
The tire brand will leverage Ogilvy’s end-to-end experience offering across loyalty, mar tech and global delivery.
War in Ukraine impacts Omnicom revenue, operating profit in Q1
The holding company still posted nearly 12% organic growth in the quarter.
Valeria Mares joins Mediahub to head up global comms planning
Mares joins from Wavemaker US as Mediahub’s first global comms planning lead.