GroupM Names First Global Commerce Lead

WPP media agency network GroupM invested in developing its DTC and ecommerce capabilities last year as consumers migrated en masse to ecommerce during the pandemic. Now, GroupM is further leaning into such capabilities by dedicating a new leadership role to global commerce. GroupM announced today that it has promoted Andrew Ruegger to global president, GroupM Commerce. These Brands Are Nailing Search Visibility During the Ecommerce Boom Keeping clients ahead of the curve In the new role, Ruegger will be responsible for scaling commerce-focused products and services for clients to capitalize on opportunities in expanding retail marketplaces and DTC efforts. Ruegger will also lead GroupM Commerce's collaboration as part of WPP commerce solutions. A GroupM veteran of over six years, Ruegger spent the past two years leading GroupM's U.S. commerce offering. His experience in the industry spans data science, ecommerce, innovation, paid search, product, SEO, strategy and technology. "As brands around the world race to catch up with the rapidly changing commerce landscape, our commerce capability across the group has been able to keep our clients ahead of the curve," GroupM global CEO Christian Juhl said in a statement. "Andrew’s cross-category experience and deep knowledge of the GroupM and WPP network make him the ideal partner, leader, and collaborator to meet the changes within the market and the demand from our clients." While GroupM has previously had regional leaders focused on commerce, the creation of this new role reflects GroupM's desire to coordinate its offering globally behind a strategic leader, as well as increased client demand. Snap Scoops Up Virtual Apparel-Sizing Company Fit Analytics for Ecommerce Expansion Explosive growth in ecommerce It follows a year of exponential growth in ecommerce, including a 277% increase in ecommerce channel retail sales for CPG manufacturers in the second quarter of 2020 alone, according to GroupM’s This Year Next Year Ecommerce Forecast. "Over the last year, brands and platforms have re-evaluated every aspect of the retail ecosystem, from brand awareness drivers to a seamless transaction experience, to ‘last mile’ distribution channels," Ruegger said in a statement. "GroupM commands unmatched commerce expertise around the world, designing and managing thousands of interactions and transactions daily, and I’m excited to be a part of it in this new capacity." The appointment follows GroupM agency MediaCom naming Jason Lim as its first chief planning officer this week, another case of investment in a new leadership role to further evolve its offerings. MediaCom also hired Liza Davidian as evp, investment and activation and Yorlene Goff as executive director of people earlier this month. Last November, GroupM appointed new global heads of partnerships and social, promoting Kieley Taylor to the former role and Amanda Grant to global head of social. Facing Unemployment and Climate Change, Consumers Turn to Recommerce

Media Agencies

GroupM Invests Further in DTC, Naming First Global Commerce Lead

Andrew Ruegger was promoted to the role

Keeping clients ahead of the curve

Erik Oster

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

Keeping clients ahead of the curve

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Erik Oster