WPP is aiming to show that its newly merged Wunderman Thompson agency is not a Wunderman takeover – controlled by direct marketing and digital experts – by appointing “dyed in the wool” adman Toby Hoare as vice chairman.
Last month, the UK agency unveiled its top management team which is dominated by Wunderman chiefs; out of seven senior executives only two are from JWT.
In this newly created role, Hoare will help redefine creativity across all of the agency’s products and capabilities, including commerce and data. He will also help with strategic acquisitions and continue to drive the overall integration of the agency.
Reporting to global CEO Mel Edwards, Hoare will remain the “executive sponsor” on some key global clients, working alongside chairman Tamara Ingram.
Prior to this role, he was the CEO of JWT Europe and UK chairman and has served as the WPP client lead for HSBC across nearly 80 countries. A former chief executive of Cordiant’s Bates Group in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Hoare joined WPP in 2004.
Edwards said: “Toby has a proven track record of successfully forging long-standing relationships coupled with his knowledge and expertise makes him one of the strongest client counselors in the industry. I’m delighted he will be taking on this new role within the growing Wunderman Thompson network.”
Hoare will continue to sit on the advisory boards of Hirschen Group and Bates Pan Gulf. He has also served as chairman of Geometry Global since its inception in 2013.
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