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.
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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.
Legendary copywriter Jim Riswold dies at 66
Dan Wieden’s first copywriter who was behind much of Wieden + Kennedy's most famous work, fought a 20-year battle with cancer.
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.
Media buyers eye new search opportunities in wake of Google antitrust ruling
All eyes are on Google’s next antitrust trial for dominance in ad tech in September.
TikTok CMO on leading one of today’s most influential—and controversial—brands
Kate Jhaveri caught up with Campaign US about the challenges and opportunities of leading a brand that’s setting the course of both marketing and culture.
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.
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.
RGA merges US and LATAM operations
EXCLUSIVE: April Quinn will oversee the region as Americas president in digital agency’s latest restructure.
Creatives defend Apple ad amid backlash
Apple’s latest ad for the new iPad pro has been panned online, but creative leaders don’t all agree with the pile-on.
Stagwell’s revenue climbs in Q1 as tech clients return
The holding company is eyeing international expansion and digital transformation for growth.
BBDO Worldwide chief creative David Lubars to retire
Americas CCO Chris Beresford-Hill will step into his role at the end of the year.
Lessons from 20 years of Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty
On the 20th anniversary of the iconic campaign, Campaign asked industry experts why they think the platform continues to endure—especially during a time when inclusion is facing pushback.
Pfizer moves creative from IPG to Publicis after just 10 months
Pharma giant consolidates global creative business with Publicis months after splitting duties between the two holding companies last May; IPG retains PR and health briefs.
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.
Generative AI is here—but it’s not ready for prime time
The ad industry is experimenting heavily with gen AI, but deploying it widely on client work comes with too many liabilities.
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.
IPG declines in 2023, targets flat 2024 as last year’s challenges continue
Asia-Pacific led Q4 revenue declines due to dips in China and Japan. CEO Philippe Krakowsky estimates the holding company will invest roughly $80 million in AI this year.
Omnicom meets 2023 guidance, eyes investments in AI
CEO John Wren resists pegging a number to Omnicom’s AI investment after a series of announcements from his peers.
Volkswagen global CMO to depart
Nelly Kennedy departs amid a major media review and ahead of a big Super Bowl moment for the automaker.
PHD retains HP’s global media account
The retention continues a relationship that began in 2009.
Christian Juhl on GroupM reorg: ‘We need to be simpler to market’
GroupM’s global CEO chats about the network’s strategy to further simplify as part of parent WPP’s $160 million cost-cutting drive.
The male gaze and who decides what’s appropriate in advertising
Recent controversy over two Calvin Klein campaigns raises the question of who defines what constitutes objectification and what makes a great “big idea.”
10 questions for the ad industry in 2024
From generative AI to DE&I, here are the topics Campaign is investigating this year.
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.
Ad execs share their holiday pitching horror stories
An early January pitch is an ad exec’s worst nightmare.
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.
DDB elevates Tomas Gonsorcik to global chief strategy officer
EXCLUSIVE: He fills the role previously held by Omnicom chief strategy officer Alex Hesz.
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.
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.
Omnicom Media Group’s Florian Adamski shares plans to ‘outgrow the market’
EXCLUSIVE: Campaign gets a sneak peek into OMG’s 2024 strategy and compares its “Agency as a Platform” model with other holding company offerings aimed at simplifying clients’ experience.
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.
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.
Alex Lubar named global CEO at DDB Worldwide
EXCLUSIVE: Former CEO and 38-year DDB vet Marty O’Halloran will step into chairman role.
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.
The summer of female spending power
From Barbiemania to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour phenomenon, the power of young, female spenders is in the spotlight this summer.
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.
WPP’s Mark Read on tech slowdown: ‘They're trying to get their margins back’
The holding company lowered its growth forecast as a pull back in tech company spending ate into its US and global growth.
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.
Campaign global forecast Q3 2023: Creative pitch marketplace across sectors
Despite factors such as a challenging economic outlook, advertising new business is expected to be buoyant in Q3, with retail, media and travel just some sectors predicted to witness plenty of pitches. Campaign looks at what drives activity in these areas in the UK, US and Asia-Pacific.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Marketers bet too big on the metaverse
It’s another cautionary tale of chasing the next shiny object.
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.
Luxury advertising amid an economic downturn
With global economic uncertainty showing no sign of easing, what impact will it have on luxury brands that have so far shown resilience?
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.
The fragmentation of TV audiences
With the likes of Netflix and Disney+ bringing in advertising-supported subscriptions, Campaign examines the impact this will have on traditional TV advertising in different regions.
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.
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.
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.
Global forecast: Pharma and healthcare brands shift their ad strategies
Campaign explores how pharma and healthcare brands project the year ahead in spend and media channels—particularly in these trying economic times.
Global forecast: The impact of the energy crisis on adland
Q4 2022: As energy prices skyrocket and half the world enters a third winter with Covid, Campaign explores how brands are investing in and adopting new advertising strategies in the face of an impending recession.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Creatives reflect on legend Dan Wieden’s influence
Wieden, co-founder of the iconic advertising agency and adland icon, passed away on Saturday at 77 years old.
Preeya Vyas joins Wunderman Thompson as first global chief experience officer
Vyas will articulate and lead the agency’s global customer experience offer by working with disciplines across the group.
Hold the applause: Is award-winning purpose work making a real impact?
Brands continue to be recognised by big award shows for purposeful work, but these eye-catching ideas often end up having no impact on real people.
How should marketers approach the Qatar World Cup?
With rising global inflation and economic uncertainty, Campaign explores the opportunities and challenges facing brands as one of the busiest times of the year collides with a major sporting event.
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.
Advertisers brace for turbulence at Snap, but welcome clearer focus
As the tech company goes through a mass restructuring the advertising industry expects short-term pain—but remains hopeful about Snap’s long-term outlook.
Andy Main to leave Ogilvy as Devika Bulchandani takes over as global CEO
Main joined Ogilvy from Deloitte Digital in 2020 and oversaw a transformation of the network; longtime McCann vet Bulchandani steps into his shoes.
DDB poaches Alex Lubar from McCann Worldgroup as global president and COO
The 10-year McCann veteran joins the Omnicom-owned creative network to bolster its global strategy.
Behind the rebrand of Northrop Grumman, the aerospace and defence company you’ve never heard of
Virginia-based Northrop Grumman is well-known in government circles, but it has been doubling down on its brand communications to attract new talent and investors.
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.
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.
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.
IPG organic growth slows in Q2 but remains strong over COVID period
Q2 earnings dropped just after news of a new leadership team at McCann Worldgroup.
Omnicom grows organically in Q2, but revenue remains flat
Growth projections slow as the holding company remains cautious in an unpredictable macroeconomic environment.
MRM taps Diana Ceausu Caverly as global chief strategy officer
Caverly, who ran the General Motors account for parent McCann Worldgroup, completes MRM’s global executive leadership bench.
Mediabrands, R&CPMK launch tool to integrate brands with premium content
UpstreamPOP helps brands identify the next big TV show or feature film and helps them broker brand integration deals.
Here's Google's plan to to help advertisers manage rapidly evolving privacy regulation
David Temkin, senior director of product management, ads privacy and user trust at Google, who is leading the charge on preserving ad targeting and measurement while tracking restrictions loom, discusses these shifts.