WPP set to name Mark Read as Chief Executive

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WPP is set to announce Mark Read as its new chief executive next week, opting for the leading internal candidate to replace Martin Sorrell at the world’s biggest advertising company, Reuters reports.

He will be appointed as early as next week according to reports.

Mark Read was appointed joint Chief Operating Officer of WPP on 16 April 2018, reporting to Executive Chairman Roberto Quarta. He works alongside Andrew Scott to lead the business and develop WPP’s strategy, and has specific responsibility for the Group’s clients, operating companies and people.

Mark has held multiple leadership positions across the Group, including Executive Director of WPP plc, Head of Strategy and CEO of WPP Digital. For 12 years he was responsible for the Group’s digital development, including the move into technology through the acquisition of 24/7 Real Media, and the creation of POSSIBLE and Stream, WPP’s celebrated “unconference”.

In 2015, he was appointed CEO of Wunderman, transforming the network into one of the world’s leading customer-focused digital agencies.

Earlier in his career, Mark founded and developed WebRewards, a UK startup that was sold to Bertelsmann in 2001. He also specialised in the media and marketing industries as a principal at Booz Allen & Hamilton, having started his career at the WPP parent company working on corporate development.

Mark Read has an MBA from INSEAD and an economics degree from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and was a Henry Fellow at Harvard University. He is the Chairman of the Natural History Museum Digital Council. Wired ranked him as one of the Top 25 Digital Influencers in Europe in 2014 and he was twice named The Drum’s Digital Individual of the Year.

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