Mark Read

Mark Read

CEO at WPP
New York, United States

About me

Mark has held multiple leadership positions across the company, including nine years as an Executive Director of WPP plc. For 12 years, as Head of Strategy and then CEO of WPP Digital, he was responsible for the company’s digital development, including the move into technology through the acquisition of 24/7 Real Media, the creation of digital network POSSIBLE and the launch of Stream, WPP’s celebrated “unconference”.

In 2015, he was appointed Global CEO of Wunderman, where he transformed the network into one of the world’s leading customer-focused digital agencies. Wunderman is among WPP’s largest businesses, with more than 10,000 people in 200 offices across 70 countries and clients including Microsoft, Dell, Shell, BT and Adidas.

Earlier in his career, Mark founded and developed WebRewards, a U.K. startup that was sold to Bertelsmann in 2001. He also specialised in the media and marketing industries as a principal at Booz Allen & Hamilton. He started his career at the WPP parent company working on corporate development.

In April 2018 he was named joint Chief Operating Officer of WPP, with responsibility for clients, operating companies and people.
On September 3d 2018, Mark was officially named WPP CEO.


Mark has an MBA from INSEAD, an economics degree from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and was a Henry Fellow at Harvard University. He is the Chairman of the Natural History Museum Digital Council.

Sector Experience

Positions

CEO
WPP
London, United Kingdom
September 2018 - Present (5 years 6 months)
CEO
WPP Digital
April 2006 - Present (17 years 11 months)
CEO
London, United Kingdom
January 2015 - September 2018 (3 years 8 months)
Board Member, WPP
WPP
London, United Kingdom
August 2006 - January 2015 (8 years 5 months)
Parent company to agencies including Blue State Digital, F.biz, Rockfish and POSSIBLE and to technology companies, 24/7 Media and Acceleration. Investor in Buddy Media, eCommera, Say Media, Omniture and Visible World.
Director of Strategy
WPP
London, United Kingdom
September 2002 - November 2012 (10 years 2 months)
Executive Director, WPP since 2005. Responsible for Group's strategic direction and key initiatives including developing relations with key clients and coordinating cross-WPP initiatives .
Joint CEO and Founder
WebRewards
August 1999 - September 2001 (2 years 1 month)
Founded WebRewards as a start-up in the online loyalty business in conjunction with webmiles, subsequently sold to Bertelsmann.
Principal, Media and Entertainment Practice
Booz & Company
September 1995 - August 1999 (3 years 11 months)
Corporate Development Manager
WPP
September 1989 - June 1995 (5 years 9 months)

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

1993 - Present (31 years 2 months)

Henry Fellowship

1988 - Present (36 years 2 months)

Master of Arts (MA), Economics

1985 - Present (39 years 2 months)

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