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WPP merges Y&R and VML

From early 2019, Y&R will be VMLY&R after news broke this week that WPP is consolidating the creative agency with its digital agency VML.

The new entity won’t be fully operational until early 2019, at which point all Y&R offices, including those in New Zealand will be known as VMLY&R.

It will be led by global chief executive Jon Cook who is currently the global chief executive of VML. He will be supported by non-executive chairman David Sable, the former global chief executive of Y&R.

WPP chief executive Mark Read said in the announcement about the consolidation that VMLY&R will be a brand experience offering and a core agency brand for WPP.

“VML and Y&R have distinct and complementary strengths spanning creative, technology and data services that make them a perfect match. This is an important step as we build a new, simpler WPP that provides clients with a fully integrated offering and easy access to our wealth of talent and resources.”

When StopPress asked WPP what the change means for Y&R in New Zealand, an AUNZ spokesperson said:

“Longer term, by creating VMLY&R, our ability to span strategic brand building and connected brand experiences in new ways will help accelerate our business, and offer new capability to clients in Australia and New Zealand.”

Earlier this year, Y&R New Zealand saw CEO/CCO Josh Moore depart with Jono Key, managing director Y&R New Zealand and Fleur Head, managing director Wellington, assuming a dual leadership of role.

And more recently, Kim Pick and Tom Paine were announced as joint creative leaders for the Auckland and Wellington offices. 

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