Key Takeaways
- VML's global chief creative officer is now global president, overseeing 55+ markets while retaining her creative role.
- Vandeven wants to formally bridge organizational gaps between creative, tech and business.
- Vandeven has been at VML for 27 years, navigating various acquisitions and WPP's recent Elevate28 turnaround strategy.
Long-time VML veteran Debbi Vandeven has been elevated to global president, placing the WPP-owned agency’s top creative in an expanded role overseeing more than 55 markets.
Vandeven is VML’s global chief creative officer, leading the creative vision for work for clients including Colgate-Palmolive, Wendy’s, and The Coca-Cola Company. According to a press release, Vandeven will retain the role alongside her new position and will remain in Kansas City.
She is the first major exec appointment under incoming global CEO Eric Campbell, who will officially succeed Jon Cook in the new year following his departure, announced last month. Before starting in the new role in January 2027, Vandeven will work closely with Cook to ensure a smooth transition as Campbell’s “right hand.”
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