TYLER TURNBULL POISED TO LEAD WPP CREATIVE

WPP is set to appoint Tyler Turnbull, global CEO of McCann, as global CEO of WPP Creative, succeeding Jon Cook by March. Turnbull, who rose through FCB before leading McCann under Omnicom, brings deep experience across North America and global markets. His appointment signals another major shift in agency leadership.

WPP is preparing to name Tyler Turnbull, currently global CEO of McCann, as the next global CEO of WPP Creative, according to industry reports. He will succeed Jon Cook, who is due to step down by March, marking a significant leadership transition at the heart of WPP’s creative portfolio.  

It remains unclear whether Turnbull’s remit will extend beyond WPP Creative, though he was previously considered for the global CEO role at Ogilvy before Laurent Ezekiel was appointed in late 2025. His move to WPP would represent a swift shift, coming less than a year after he was elevated to McCann’s top global role.  

Turnbull took charge of McCann last December following Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG, positioning him at the helm of one of Omnicom Advertising’s three major creative networks, alongside BBDO and TBWA. His leadership at McCann has been closely watched, given the network’s integration into Omnicom’s broader creative structure.  

Before joining McCann, Turnbull spent more than a decade at IPG’s FCB, where he built a reputation as a turnaround specialist and strategic leader. He joined FCB in 2014 to revitalise its struggling Canadian operations, later moving to lead the New York office. In 2019, he was appointed North America CEO, and by 2022 he had risen to global CEO. Under his stewardship, FCB strengthened its creative reputation and operational performance, before being merged into BBDO as part of Omnicom’s consolidation strategy.  

Turnbull’s trajectory reflects a career defined by adaptability and leadership across both regional and global stages. His experience in steering agencies through transformation and integration is likely to prove valuable as WPP Creative continues to evolve under the company’s Elevate28 strategy.  

The appointment underscores WPP’s intent to maintain momentum following Cook’s departure. Cook, who has been a central figure in shaping VML and WPP Creative, announced earlier this year that he would step down after three decades in the industry. His successor inherits a portfolio that includes VML, Ogilvy, Grey, Burson, AKQA, Landor and Design Bridge & Partners, all of which play a critical role in WPP’s integrated offering.  

Turnbull’s move, if confirmed, would mark another high-profile reshaping of leadership across the global agency landscape, reinforcing the competitive intensity between holding groups as they vie for creative dominance.