WPP Appoints Microsoft Executive Cindy Rose as New CEO Amid AI Challenges

WPP hires Microsoft executive Cindy Rose as new chief

WPP has named top Microsoft executive Cindy Rose as its chief executive, tasking her with leading the turnaround efforts of the struggling London-based advertising agency. Rose will replace Mark Read, who announced his departure in June after a thirty-year career with the agency. WPP shares are languishing at a sixteen-year low as the group has lost key clients to rivals such as Publicis, which overtook WPP as the world's largest ad agency by revenue last year. Rose is chief operating officer for global enterprise at Microsoft, working with large companies to use digital technology and AI for business transformation. She was previously president of Microsoft Western Europe and chief executive of Microsoft UK. She has also worked at Vodafone, Virgin Media and Disney. Rose has been a non-executive director on the WPP board since 2019, and holds dual British and American citizenship. Philip Jansen, chair of WPP, said Rose had "led multi-billion-dollar operations across the UK, Emea and globally, built enduring client relationships and delivered growth in both enterprise and consumer environments". Rose said that there were "many opportunities ahead for WPP" including building "market-leading AI capabilities". She faces a daunting set of challenges at WPP, including from the disruption caused by AI tools that can replace many of the traditional activities of an agency. On Wednesday, WPP slashed its forecast for revenues and profits this year, blaming a "challenging economic backdrop".

WPP turns to Microsoft executive as AI threatens 'Kodak moment'

If Cindy Rose was in any doubt about the scale of the challenge confronting her at WPP, the savage profit warning that sent its shares into a tailspin just hours before she signed her contract on Wednesday evening would have delivered the bad news hard. The struggling British advertising group named 59-year-old Rose -- a top Microsoft executive -- as its new chief the following morning. Rose's experience in the upper echelons of the tech sector, which is rapidly siphoning value from traditional ad agencies, has been welcomed by analysts, clients and investors. But she is taking the reins at WPP as it scraps with stronger global rivals for a shrinking pool of mandates. Beyond the day-to-day difficulties, the existential threat of AI -- technology that threatens to cut agencies out of the creative process entirely -- is looming ever closer into view. "This is WPP's 'Kodak moment'," claimed David Jones, chief executive of Brandtech, a $4bn advertising group that centres its business on generative AI. "The AI disruption has not really happened yet. It's bad but it's going to get a lot worse. It's hard to see or understand what they can do to turn this around," he said. Others disagree. Several WPP executives said Rose's predecessor, Mark Read, had laid the groundwork for a recovery by restructuring and simplifying a once sprawling organisation. Read has also prepared WPP for the AI revolution by starting to investing heavily in AI tools that enable WPP's clients to make ads cheaper and faster. Either way, Rose's tenure at WPP is shaping up to be a pivotal chapter in the company's history. WPP chair Philip Jansen began thinking about succession planning early in the year, according to those close to the situation. This process accelerated when it became clearer to the board that this year was shaping up to be much worse than last. Then there was the relative outperformance of arch-rival Publicis, those people said, which overtook WPP as the largest advertising network by revenues at the end of last year and continued to win work from WPP's key clients, such as Coke and Mars. WPP's profit warning this week -- it forecast like-for-like revenues would fall between 3 and 5 per cent this year -- landed hours before the industry's top brass gathered for the annual society of British advertisers lunch in Mayfair. Over a lunch of shredded lamb washed down with merlot, executives tried to take stock of what the shock announcement meant for the rest of ad land. Former media analyst Lorna Tilbian, now executive chair of advisory business Dowgate Capital, was among those to sympathise with WPP. "Ad growth is predicated on employment levels and rising GDP," said Tilbian, who owns shares in WPP, as well as other advertising groups IPG, Publicis and S4 Capital. "Neither will grow with a tax, spend and borrow backdrop." Rival agency bosses bemoaned the threat of US tariffs, which they say are causing clients to tighten their purse strings further. But WPP executives acknowledged that the performance of key parts of the group -- such as WPP Media, formerly GroupM, one of the world's largest media buying agencies -- have not lived up to expectations. According to those close to the recruitment process Jansen wanted WPP's next chief to be tech-savvy, preferably a senior hire from one of the major global companies, and either from the US or at least familiar with a market that makes up about 40 per cent of WPP's revenues. In her current role, as chief operating officer for global enterprise at Microsoft, Rose helps large companies bed in digital technology and AI. Before that she ran Microsoft's UK business and also had stints at Vodafone and Disney. Tilbian said Rose's background in tech would be helpful given the structural changes shaking the sector. The increasing dominance of tech firms in advertising was all too obvious at this year's Cannes Lions advertising festival, where the money on show from Meta, Amazon and Google -- in the form of lavish parties and big branded areas on the beach -- dwarfed that of the creative agencies supposedly taking centre stage to show off their work. WPP Media forecasts global advertising revenue will grow 6 per cent to $1.1tn in 2025, a downward revision from the December 2024 forecast, which projected 7.7 per cent growth. But almost three quarters of that revenue will be in digital advertising, a market controlled by Google, Meta, ByteDance, Alibaba and Amazon. Another hot topic on the lips of attendees at Cannes was how agencies were struggling to cope with the rapid introduction of AI technologies, which can help produce targeted adverts faster, cheaper and on a vast scale. Companies such as Meta and Amazon are busy trying to cut out agencies altogether by offering tools that allow advertisers to make and place ads directly with their platforms. To keep WPP relevant in this fast-changing market, analysts say Rose will need to make the case for the value of its creative expertise, while also ensuring the machine underneath -- in media planning and buying -- is running smoothly. Separately, the decline in WPP's shares -- down 40 per cent over the past year, giving the group a market capitalisation of £4.7bn -- means Rose will be forced to deal with speculation that the FTSE 100 company could be a target for activist investors or a private equity-led takeover. Tony White, partner at MKP Advisors, said activists and private equity firms had run the rule over the group, but were so far sitting on the sidelines. One person close to WPP said that while there had been no formal approaches, the board was aware that various groups had been running the numbers on the company. "There are a lot of people looking with the share price where it is," they added. However, those close to WPP say Jansen is determined to see a turnaround through. One said there was "tremendous value in the business" that the share price did not reflect. "Why blow it up now?" Another cautioned that a turnaround would take some time and that internally Rose would need to adopt a simple mantra: return to growth. "Eight years ago Publicis was in a worse state than WPP," they said. "They were nowhere. We are not down and out -- there is everything to play for. We can get this UK company back to being the global leader."

WPP names senior Microsoft boss Cindy Rose as new CEO

Tech sector boss chosen to help develop AI and digital offerings and rebuild battered share price WPP has appointed top Microsoft boss Cindy Rose as its new chief executive as the marketing services giant aims to implement a sweeping restructure to turn around the ailing London-listed company. Rose, who is now chief operating officer for global enterprise and former boss of Microsoft's European and UK businesses, will take over from Mark Read on 1 September. Under Read's tenure WPP's market value has slumped by two-thirds with its share price languishing at a 16-year low, as the company has struggled against the rise of AI tech that helps companies automate the creation of adverts. It has also struggled to stem a string of big client losses to rivals, most notably French group Publicis. Publicis, which overtook WPP to become the world's biggest marketing services group by revenues last year, has snapped up billions in business including Coca-Cola's media account in North America and, most recently, Mars' $1.7bn (£1.25bn) global media planning and buying business. The latter win, revealed by the Guardian, coincided with WPP's move to announce Read's departure after three decades at the company, with almost seven as chief executive. "Cindy has led multibillion-dollar operations across the UK, EMEA and globally, built enduring client relationships and delivered growth in both enterprise and consumer environments," said Philip Jansen, chair of WPP. "Cindy has supported the digital transformation of large enterprises around the world - including embracing AI to create new customer experiences, business models and revenue streams." In her most recent role at Microsoft, Rose was responsible for working with large clients to use digital technology and AI for business transformation. Rose, who has British and American citizenship, has been on WPP's board since 2019. She will be based in London and New York, where WPP has in the past considered moving its listing. She is an advisory board member at Imperial College Business School in London and McClaren Racing. Prior to Microsoft, Rose held senior roles at Vodafone, Virgin Media and 15 years at the Walt Disney Company. "Cindy is an outstanding and inspirational business leader with extensive experience at some of the world's most recognised companies and a track record of growing large-scale businesses," said Jansen, adding that the recruitment process had been "thorough" and that internal and external candidates had been considered. WPP moved swiftly to secure a successor to Read, who only announced his departure last month. Read overhauled the group over the course of his tenure, merging agencies and selling off some businesses, which has helped cut net debt. However, client losses fuelled by being slower off the mark to build an AI offering, as well as fighting against developments by deep-pocketed big tech in the sector, saw him unable to reinvigorate the company's share price. "There are so many opportunities ahead for WPP," said Rose. "We have and continue to build market-leading AI capabilities, alongside an unrivalled reputation for creative excellence and a pre-eminent client list. I began my career in the creative industries and this feels like coming home." On Wednesday, WPP cut its forecast for revenues and profits this year blaming a challenging economic backdrop. The warning sent the company's share price tumbling by 19%.

WPP names Microsoft executive Rose as CEO in turnaround push

Rose, 59, will take on the role leading the advertising group beginning Sept. 1, the company said in a statement on Thursday. Rose is currently chief operating officer of Microsoft's global enterprise business and has previously held roles leading the company in Western Europe and the UK. The announcement comes a day after WPP shares hit a 16-year low after the company cut its full-year outlook. The media company is dealing with a downturn in advertising spending and has recently lost a string of contracts to rivals, including the $1.7 billion account for M&Ms and Snickers owner Mars Inc., which moved to longtime rival Publicis Groupe SA. WPP shares were up 2.3% at 9:03 a.m. in London. Shares have fallen around 47% for the year. "While Rose lacks equity market-facing leadership experience, she should be very familiar with the business, given that she's been on the board since 2019," Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said. "She'll need to hit the ground running if she's to stem client losses and turn WPP's performance around." At WPP, Rose will need to spearhead a turnaround of the company as the industry is being shaken by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. She'll be based in London and New York. AI has been changing the way the advertising industry operates, including how it makes, buys and targets campaigns. Agencies can gain a competitive advantage if they can successfully adapt their teams and capabilities for the AI era, and many of them have been plowing hundreds of millions of dollars into the emerging technology. But reduced client spending is weighing on the sector. And there are fears that as AI-generated advertising tools improve, it will be harder for agencies like WPP to justify their fees. Its rival Publicis has been nabbing clients from WPP after years of investing in consulting and data businesses. Rose has been on WPP's board since 2019 and previously worked for the Walt Disney Company, Virgin Media and Vodafone, before joining Microsoft in 2016, according to her LinkedIn profile. She brings experience from Microsoft in helping large corporate customers -- such as the Premier League and Holland America Line -- transform their businesses using digital technology and AI. "Cindy has supported the digital transformation of large enterprises around the world, including embracing AI to create new customer experiences, business models and revenue streams," WPP Chair Philip Jansen said in the statement. Once the world's largest ad agency globally, WPP has been working on ways to reignite growth and streamline its operations. The British ad firm had previously restructured its stable of brands to save costs and announced a plan to spend hundreds of millions of pounds on new technologies including building out AI capabilities. Read had been CEO for seven years and had been with WPP for more than 30 years. He was previously Martin Sorrell's deputy, taking over after the WPP founder was ousted in 2018. Read will stay on to help with the transition until the end of the year, the company said in the statement.

Cindy Rose named new CEO of WPP, succeeding Mark Read

WPP plc has appointed Cindy Rose, currently COO of Global Enterprise at Microsoft, as its new CEO, effective September 1, 2025. Rose succeeds Mark Read, who steps down after seven years, bringing extensive experience from technology, media, and telecommunications. She aims to leverage WPP's AI capabilities and creative talent, while Read supports the transition. WPP plc has announced the appointment of Cindy Rose as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 September 2025. She will take over from Mark Read, who will step down after leading the company for seven years. Read will continue to support Rose through the transition period until the end of the year. Rose, currently Chief Operating Officer of Global Enterprise at Microsoft, brings decades of leadership experience across technology, telecommunications, media, and entertainment. Her previous roles include President of Microsoft Western Europe, CEO of Microsoft UK, and senior positions at Vodafone, Virgin Media, and The Walt Disney Company. She has served as a Non-Executive Director on WPP's board since 2019. Commenting on her new role, Rose said, "WPP is a company I know and love - not only from my six years on the Board but as a client and partner for many years before that - and I couldn't be happier or more excited to be appointed as CEO. I began my career in the creative industries and this feels like coming home." "There are so many opportunities ahead for WPP," she added. "We have and continue to build market-leading AI capabilities, alongside an unrivalled reputation for creative excellence and a preeminent client list. WPP has the most brilliant, talented, creative people and I can't wait to write the company's next chapter together." WPP Chair Philip Jansen praised the appointment, calling Rose "an outstanding and inspirational business leader." He said, "Her expertise in this landscape will be hugely valuable to WPP as the industry navigates fundamental changes and macroeconomic uncertainty." He also thanked outgoing CEO Mark Read for his "tireless commitment during more than 30 years with WPP and in particular the progress he has made to modernise, simplify and transform the company." Read expressed full support for Rose's succession: "Having worked closely with Cindy for the last six years, I am delighted to see her appointed as CEO of WPP. She brings deep experience of technology and AI and its transformational impact on business, and has successfully run large global organisations with talent at their core." Rose holds dual British and American citizenship and will be based in both London and New York. She was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to UK technology. Her annual salary will be £1.25 million, with additional incentive-based compensation and benefits aligned with WPP's shareholder-approved remuneration policy.

WPP Names Microsoft's Executive Cindy Rose as Next CEO -- Update

WPP named Microsoft executive Cindy Rose as its new chief executive officer as the advertising giant grapples with challenges from artificial intelligence and seeks to turn the page on a string of client losses. Rose will take the helm on Sept. 1. She is currently chief operating officer for global enterprise at Microsoft, where she helps companies use digital technology and AI to drive business transformation, the London-based company said on Thursday. The appointment ends weeks of uncertainty about the successor to Mark Read, who in June said he would retire at the end of the year after seven years as CEO and three decades at the company. Read will step down on Sept. 1 and support the transition until the end of the year, WPP said. WPP Chair Philip Jansen emphasized Rose's experience in using AI to help reshape large companies' customer experiences, business models and revenue streams. "Her expertise in this landscape will be hugely valuable to WPP as the industry navigates fundamental changes and macroeconomic uncertainty," Jansen said. The announcement comes a day after WPP issued a profit warning, citing the effect of economic uncertainty on client spending and weaker-than-expected net new business. The warning reflects fierce competition in the advertising industry, Interactive Investor's Victoria Scholar said. WPP is under pressure from a highly competitive landscape and the accelerating race for top-tier AI-generated content, she added. The owner of ad buyer WPP Media--formerly known as GroupM--and creative agencies such as Ogilvy undertook a major restructuring of its portfolio under Read's watch. It merged several units internally and sold other assets, including a stake in market-research firm Kantar. WPP has been under pressure to turn around its business for some time, especially as it lost portions of some of its most noteworthy accounts over the past years. Companies such as candy maker Mars, entertainment company Paramount and beverage giant Coca-Cola decided to move work previously assigned to WPP to rivals. Generative artificial intelligence has posed a particular threat to the agency model, giving tech giants such as Google and Meta Platforms, which dominate the ad-buying and targeting business, tools to further encroach upon Madison Avenue's turf: ad creation. To strengthen its AI capabilities, WPP in April acquired InfoSum to bolster its data offering. It also invested in U.K.-based Stability AI to leverage its models across image, video, 3D and audio to improve marketing and advertising campaigns. Write to Najat Kantouar at [email protected] and Elena Vardon at [email protected]

WPP taps Microsoft exec Rose to rebuild ad group

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's WPP named board member Cindy Rose as its new chief executive on Thursday, tasking the senior Microsoft executive with leading its recovery a day after a major profit warning showed the scale of the challenge at the ad group. Rose has been on the board since 2019 and will take over from outgoing CEO Mark Read on Sept. 1, the company said, with Read departing four months earlier than expected. Rose has spent the last nine years in senior leadership positions at Microsoft, where she rose to Chief Operating Officer, Global Enterprise after formerly being head of its UK business. Prior to that she worked at Vodafone and Virgin Media. WPP Chairman Philip Jansen said she had supported the digital transformation of large enterprises around the world - including embracing artificial intelligence to create new business models and revenue streams. "Her expertise in this landscape will be hugely valuable to WPP as the industry navigates fundamental changes and macroeconomic uncertainty," he said. Rose will take on a business that is reeling from a sharp downturn in client spend and as it grapples with the transformational impact that AI is having on the industry. It slashed its profit guidance on Wednesday after some big clients left, others cut spending and new business dried up in June, sending its shares down 19%. WPP lost its crown as the world's biggest ad group to France's Publicis last year after it struggled to grow under Read. It has been hampered by notable client losses, its greater exposure to China than rivals and the threat posed by AI, which gives clients the tools to create and manage more of their own marketing campaigns. Rose, who described herself as a "client and partner" to WPP in her former roles, was positive on the opportunities ahead. "We have and continue to build market-leading AI capabilities, alongside an unrivalled reputation for creative excellence and a preeminent client list," she said.