Slalom vs VML

Fulcrum and Slalom team up for AI in utility field operations

Fulcrum, a Field Operations Management (FOM) platform for utilities, announced a collaboration with Slalom, a business and technology consulting company, to deliver AI transformation solutions for utility field operations. The partnership aims to address fragmented field data by combining Fulcrum's platform with Slalom's AI Value Platform, which helps utilities prioritize AI investments, quantify value, and measure ROI. Key initiatives include AI for field operations (Audio FastFill, Fulcrum Insights), building a data foundation for enterprise AI, and quantifying ROI through Slalom's survey findings that 91% of organizations plan to increase AI investment but only 39% track ROS. The companies will target areas such as asset management, vegetation management, and disaster recovery.

• Fulcrum and Slalom announced a partnership to deliver AI transformation for utility field operations.
• The collaboration combines Fulcrum's FOM platform with Slalom's AI Value Platform.
• Slalom's 2026 Global AI Insights Survey found 91% of organizations plan to increase AI investment, but only 39% track ROI.

Docusign Opens MCP Server to Every AI Agent

Docusign announced that its Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server will be generally available on September 30, 2026, enabling AI agents such as Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Slack to natively access Docusign's agreement intelligence and governed actions. The move positions Docusign as the agreement layer for the agentic enterprise, extending its API-first platform to support agent-based workflows. Docusign Iris, the AI engine, will power the capabilities, leveraging full context from past negotiations and company policy. The announcement highlights integrations with Salesforce, Slack, and Oracle, with quotes from Salesforce, Slalom, and Experian as early customers or partners.

• Docusign announced its MCP Server will be generally available globally on September 30, 2026.
• Docusign MCP Server enables AI agents (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Slack) to call agreement intelligence and governed actions natively.
• Docusign Iris, the AI engine, powers the MCP server, providing context from past negotiations and policies.

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.

VML Named Network of the Year and VML UK Crowned Agency of the Year at 2026 Gerety Awards

VML has been named Network of the Year and VML UK has been crowned Agency of the Year at the 2026 Gerety Awards, as highlighted in the latest news roundup.