Observed Signal · Jun 29, 2026 · Executive Interview · Source: The Drum · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
WPP COO Devika Bulchandani: Confidence Stronger
In an interview at Cannes Lions, WPP COO Devika Bulchandani says the holding company is more confident in its client proposition despite ongoing headwinds. Under new leadership from chair Cindy Rose and a turnaround plan called Elevate28, WPP has seen creative success at Cannes (Ogilvy, VML and Burson London highlighted) and consecutive top rankings in JP Morgan’s new business tracker. Bulchandani points to WPP’s acquisition of Infosum and a self-described “data‑connectivity” approach as a differentiator against ID‑based competitors, and says clients are asking for rapid, global implementation. She acknowledges continuing media account losses (noting Coca‑Cola as an example) but stresses a client‑centric operational overhaul, end-to-end orchestration and optimism about the firm’s creative, data and AI capabilities amid broader industry disruption.
WPP is a major holding company; the interview highlights strategic shifts (Elevate28), client wins, and a notable data strategy (Infosum acquisition / 'data‑connectivity') that signal competitive positioning in identity and agency services but do not represent an industry‑wide technical or regulatory shift.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Devika Bulchandani is the chief operating officer (COO) of WPP.
- WPP’s agencies were standout performers at Cannes Lions 2026: Ogilvy reclaimed Creative Network of the Year, VML finished second, and Burson London was named PR Agency of the Year.
- WPP landed the top spot in JP Morgan’s quarterly new business tracker in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 and expects to top it again for Q2 2026.
- WPP acquired Infosum and describes its approach as 'data‑connectivity', positioned as an alternative to ID‑based identity approaches.
- WPP continues to experience account losses in media and has been contesting the Coca‑Cola contract.
Connected Companies & Entities
8 Entities mapped“WPP’s agencies were among the standout performers at Cannes Lions 2026....”
“Ogilvy reclaimed the title of Creative Network of the Year, with VML finishing second, while Burson London was named PR Agency of the Year....”
“It has surrendered its traditional beach space (the spot has been taken by US digital group PMG), taking a suite of rooms at the nearby Mart...”
“Ogilvy reclaimed the title of Creative Network of the Year, with VML finishing second, while Burson London was named PR Agency of the Year....”
“Though performance in industry rankings is indeed a bright spot for WPP, account losses (particularly in the media space) continue, with the...”
“A little over a year ago, WPP announced its acquisition of Infosum, marking a divergent approach to data (calling it “data‑connectivity”) ag...”
“After cutting her teeth as a strategist, Bulchandani has held top roles for agencies McCann and Ogilvy – most recently as global CEO of the ...”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
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WPP Turnaround Underway But Uncertain After Rose's First Year
One year into her role as CEO of WPP, Cindy Rose has initiated a restructuring strategy dubbed 'Elevate28' to simplify the advertising holding company's operating model. The plan consolidates WPP's businesses into four main pillars—media, creative, production, and enterprise solutions—all centered around its data and AI platform, WPP Open. While WPP has seen positive momentum in its pitch performance, winning over $3 billion in new media accounts in 2026 (including Estée Lauder, Henkel, and Waymo), it continues to battle historical revenue declines, low operating profit margins compared to competitors, and a $3.3 billion debt pile. Rose has streamlined the organization by cutting 1,260 jobs in early 2026, yet major structural decisions, such as selling non-core assets like Kantar, Burson, or creative networks, remain deferred as critical client reviews like Coca-Cola loom.
WPP Strategy Update: Outcome Pricing and Client Leaders
WPP CEO Cindy Rose presented a multi-year strategy to simplify the holding company into a single operating company organised around four units — Media, Creative, Production and Enterprise Solutions — with media and data central and AI as a core growth driver. The plan targets £500m of annualised cost savings by 2028 through workforce reductions and backend simplification, and WPP will invest £400m over two years to deliver those savings. The update highlighted new business wins (Jaguar Land Rover, Estée Lauder, Kenvue), partnerships (expanded Adobe tie-up, Genius Sports, and a $400m Google contract) and a move toward outcome-based pricing with large clients. Rose also re-emphasised the global client leader role, appointing a dedicated leadership team (led by Alex Hesz) to own client relationships. Analysts welcomed the strategic clarity but flagged execution and WPP’s stretched balance sheet (adjusted free cash flow £202m; average adjusted net debt £2.1bn) as risks.
WPP Sees Early Benefits from Internal Simplification
WPP reported a softer-than-previous decline in key revenue metrics in its latest quarter, which CEO Cindy Rose framed as early evidence that the company’s simplification and reorganisation strategy is beginning to work. Like‑for‑like revenues less pass‑through costs fell 2.8% year‑on‑year (3.2% for the top 25 clients) and WPP Media’s organic growth was -2.8%, but markets reacted positively and the share price rose over 20% after the results. Rose highlighted the group’s reorganisation into four units and cited several integrated account wins (Wendy’s, Natura, Avon, Coca‑Cola) as proof the “one WPP” model is driving cross‑sell and talent fluidity. CFO Joanne Wilson said the new structure is also changing defensive pitches into upsell opportunities. WPP’s Elevate28 recovery plan expects 2026 to be a stabilisation year with growth returning next year.
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