WPP and GroupM announce the appointment of Brian Lesser as the new Global CEO of GroupM, the world’s leading media investment company. He succeeds Christian Juhl, who is stepping down after five years in the role. Christian will take on a new role at WPP as President of Corporate Development.

Brian spent 10 years at WPP, including as CEO of GroupM North America from 2015 to 2017. He will rejoin WPP and start his new role at GroupM in September 2024. Christian will continue in his current role until then and will support the transition as he moves to his new position.

Brian joined WPP with the acquisition of 24/7 Real Media in 2007. He went on to create the Media Innovation Group, building addressable advertising products and technology for GroupM, including one of the industry’s first data management platforms. In 2011, he founded Xaxis, the programmatic media buying platform that is now part of GroupM’s media performance organization, GroupM Nexus.

After leading GroupM North America, he joined AT&T as CEO of AT&T Advertising & Analytics, a $3 billion business now known as Xandr. In 2020, he took on his current role as CEO and President of the data company InfoSum.

Throughout his career, Brian has been at the forefront of technological advancements in the media industry, from the rise of programmatic advertising to the growth of connected TV. He is known for challenging the status quo to deliver better experiences for consumers and more effective solutions for businesses.

Christian became CEO of GroupM in November 2019, having previously held the same role at Essence, the digital media agency acquired by WPP in 2015. As President of Corporate Development at WPP, he will work on various aspects of the company’s strategic development.

Under Christian’s leadership, GroupM has grown significantly, winning notable assignments and playing a key role in WPP’s wins, such as the partnership with The Coca-Cola Company. GroupM has also changed and evolved to reflect the new world. It has simplified its structure and today serves its leading global client list primarily through three media agency brands (EssenceMediacom, Mindshare, and Wavemaker); the media performance organization GroupM Nexus; and the data products, services, and technology company Choreograph. GroupM is the world’s leading media investment company, managing over $60 billion in annual media investment on behalf of its clients.

Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said:

“I would like to thank Christian for his contribution to the success of Essence, GroupM, WPP and our clients over the past nine years. He has built a strong foundation for GroupM’s ongoing transformation, integration of its offering and accelerated future growth. I look forward to working with him in his new role at WPP.”

“Brian is one of the most respected executives in the industry, with a proven track record of success in data- and technology-driven marketing. GroupM, its agencies and its brilliant people are in many ways the engine room of WPP. Brian not only knows GroupM inside out, but he also has a strong vision for the future of the business. We are delighted to welcome him back to WPP.”

Brian Lesser said:

“WPP and GroupM are special organizations to me. I have experienced firsthand the culture of innovation and collaboration that drives exceptional work for advertisers. I am thrilled to be rejoining GroupM as Chief Executive Officer. I am looking forward to building with my talented colleagues, collaborating with our industry partners, and investing with our fantastic global client list.”

Christian Juhl said:

“It has been a privilege to lead this incredible business, work alongside its incredible talent and collaborate with our wonderful clients around the world. We have achieved a lot together and I am truly proud of the progress GroupM has made towards its mission of making advertising work better for people. After five years, it is time for a new challenge, and I am excited about my new role at WPP. Brian is an exceptional leader and I am delighted that he is rejoining the GroupM family.”

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