WPP appoints Tyler Turnbull as CEO of WPP Creative

WPP has appointed McCann Global CEO Tyler Turnbull as CEO of WPP Creative. He will join in early 2027, succeeding the outgoing Jon Cook.

Turnbull spent 12 years at FCB before McCann, leading businesses in Canada, North America and globally. WPP said he has a record of transforming agencies, building client partnerships and growing agencies creatively and commercially.

As CEO of WPP Creative, Turnbull will bring WPP’s creative agencies together to drive growth for clients. He will focus on connecting those agencies more closely with WPP’s media, data, production, commerce and technology capabilities, which WPP describes as a new kind of growth partner for the AI era.

WPP Creative will use WPP Open, the company’s AI platform, to make WPP’s full offering simpler for clients to access and to link insight, ideas and measurable growth.

Cindy Rose, CEO of WPP, said: “Tyler is a world-class leader with the ambition, global perspective and creative conviction to lead the next chapter of WPP Creative.

“His appointment reflects our determination to bring together the very best of WPP for our clients, put creativity at the centre of growth and set a new standard for the industry. I am delighted that he is joining WPP.”

Turnbull said of his appointment: "Together with our exceptional teams, my ambition for WPP Creative is to set a new standard for our industry: connected enough to bring WPP’s full strength to every client, distinctive enough to protect the unique magic and cultures of our iconic brands, and extraordinary enough to nurture the industry's most creative talent as we drive meaningful business growth for our partners.

“The opportunity to lead WPP Creative at this pivotal moment is a tremendous honour. I look forward to partnering with Cindy, Jon and the agency leadership teams to unlock the full power of WPP for our clients and create the conditions for the world’s best talent to do the best work of their careers.”

Jon Cook departs WPP

Cook's departure was announced last week; he will remain as global CEO of VML and CEO of WPP Creative through March to oversee the handover. 

READ MORE: Jon Cook to leave WPP as Eric Campbell takes VML helm