In a significant restructuring move, advertising giant WPP revealed the merger of its major creative agencies, Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R, marking the emergence of the industry’s most extensive creative company, now titled VML.
This new establishment brings together two globally recognized and highly awarded creative entities, both boasting stellar capabilities in commerce, customer experience, and marketing technology.
Jon Cook, Global CEO at VMLY&R said “The future of building strong brands and businesses requires the interconnectivity of brand experience, commerce and customer experiences. We recognized the immediate opportunity to create what every consultancy and advertising agency aspires to build with the formation of VML. We’re especially excited to present our new offering to the industry as we don’t believe there is another company as creatively awarded with our depth in customer experience and commerce.”.
VML is poised to offer clients comprehensive support, specializing in creative brand expansion strategies, transformative ventures, and a potent mix of top-tier data management, technology solutions, and collaborations with premier tech enterprises. An added highlight is VML’s standout service proposition for the healthcare sector and B2B marketing domain.
This amalgamation consolidates WPP’s commitment to streamline its operations, as VML now stands as a colossal entity, employing a team of over 30,000 professionals spread across 64 global markets. With a portfolio that boasts high-profile clientele like Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola, the agencies, both having their inception in 2018, have set notable industry standards.
WPP, headquartered in London, has consistently focused on realigning its agencies, evident from previous mergers like the blending of the historically renowned J Walter Thompson with the digital powerhouse Wunderman. This reformation aims at enhancing operational efficiency while delivering a holistic service suite to clients.
Taking the helm at VML will be Jon Cook from VMLY&R, wearing the cap of the global chief executive, alongside Mel Edwards from Wunderman Thompson, stepping in as the global president, as confirmed by WPP.
WPP‘s decision to merge these powerhouses underlines the evolving landscape of the advertising world. As brands demand more integrated solutions, combining strengths can provide a holistic approach, ensuring clients receive cutting-edge creativity backed by robust technological insights.
