WPP appoints former Unilever ad chief Keith Weed to board
WPP has appointed former Unilever marketing boss Keith Weed to its board as a non-executive director, the company announced today.
The appointment will come as a major boost for the media behemoth, which has embarked on a three-year restructuring plan amid a challenging time for traditional ad shops.
Read more: WPP beats expectations as turnaround strategy gathers steam
Weed served as Unilever’s chief marketing and communications officer for nine years before stepping down in May, overseeing a number of campaigns for brands such as Dove and Magnum. He is also president of industry body the Advertising Association.
“Keith is one of the world’s most influential and successful marketers,” said WPP chairman Roberto Quarta.
“He has a deep understanding of our business, the ways in which technology is transforming marketing, the sectors in which we operate, and our fast-moving consumer goods clients in particular.”
Under chief executive Mark Read, WPP has been looking to simplify its sprawling empire in a bid to adapt to competition from consultancy agencies and tech giants Google and Facebook.
In July the holding group completed the $4bn (£3.2bn) sale of data analytics firm Kantar to Bain Capital.
Read more: WPP sells 60 per cent stake in Kantar to value it at $4bn
“I am delighted to join the WPP board at such an important and dynamic time for the industry,” said Weed.
“I have worked with WPP for many years, leading brand-led businesses around the world. I look forward to contributing to WPP’s future, leveraging my understanding of building brands in a rapidly changing world – from digital and data to content creation and sustainability.”
Main image credit: Getty