DEPT® vs WPP

DEPT® named media & SEO partner for American Family Care

DEPT® has added new insights and news, including being named a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Global Digital Marketing Agencies and expanding Google Marketing Platform capabilities to the US.

Jon Cook Steps Down as CEO of WPP Creative and VML

Jon Cook, global CEO of VML and WPP Creative, will step down after more than 30 years with WPP, effective March 2027. Eric Campbell, currently CEO of VML and WPP Creative in North America, will succeed Cook as global CEO of VML, while retaining his North American role at WPP Creative. Cook will remain in his positions until the transition to ensure a seamless handover. The announcement, made on October 2, 2026, follows the recent exit of Troy Ruhanen from Omnicom Advertising, marking significant leadership changes in major holding companies. WPP has not yet named a successor for Cook's role as CEO of WPP Creative, which he has led since its launch in February 2026. Cook also led the creation of VML in 2024 through the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson. These changes come amid broader restructuring at WPP, with the industry closely watching the impact on creative landscape and client relationships.

• Jon Cook will step down as global CEO of VML and WPP Creative, effective March 2027.
• Eric Campbell will succeed Cook as global CEO of VML, retaining his North American role at WPP Creative.
• Cook will remain in his roles until March 2027 to ensure a seamless transition.

Tom Gilbert on Brand Cohesion in the Age of AI

Tom Gilbert, ECD at Design Bridge, discusses the challenges of maintaining brand cohesion when AI enables anyone to create design. He argues that AI should be treated as an instrument, not a tool, and that strong brand foundations are essential. Gilbert, jury president of The Drum Awards for Design, emphasizes the importance of timeless ideas, collaboration, and clear context in award entries. The article highlights his book 'Brands Built By Design' and his experience with clients using AI in brand design.

• Tom Gilbert is ECD at Design Bridge and jury president of The Drum Awards for Design.
• Gilbert wrote the book 'Brands Built By Design'.
• Design Bridge worked on the Guinness brand identity over a decade ago, resurfacing the 'Made of More' line.

PubMatic Adds Show-Level CTV Targeting via Silverpush Partnership

PubMatic and Silverpush have partnered to launch global episode-level contextual targeting for CTV inventory on PubMatic's supply-side platform. This integration allows buyers to curate ad inventory based on content context—such as genre, programme type, or brand safety—before bidding, without relying on cookies or user-level data. Advertisers can select from over 50 pre-built segments, applied pre-bid, across PubMatic's CTV supply, which includes 28 of the top 30 global streamers. Early results indicate improvements in brand awareness, consideration, conversion, and lower cost-per-view, with one WPP campaign achieving 20% higher conversion rates. PubMatic continues to offer audience-based targeting, but notes that combining both approaches may limit scale. The segments are now available globally via PubMatic and leading DSPs.

• PubMatic and Silverpush announced global episode-level contextual CTV segments, enabling pre-bid targeting based on content context.
• The integration covers all CTV supply within PubMatic, including 28 of the top 30 global streamers.
• Buyers can select from 50+ pre-built contextual and brand-safety segments, applied pre-bid, without using cookies or user-level data.