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Former Unilever marketing boss Keith Weed joins WPP board

Former Unilever chief marketing and communications officer Keith Weed is joining the board of WPP as a non-executive director.

In a long career at Unilever Weed (below) picked up numerous honours including Global Marketer of the Year for 2017 from the World Federation of Advertisers and Forbes’ Most Influential Marketing Officer in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Weed is also president of the UK Advertising Association, a board member of Business in the Community, a member of McLaren F1’s advisory board, president of the History of Advertising Trust and a board member of Grange Park Opera.

WPP chairman Roberto Quarta says: “Keith is one of the world’s most influential and successful marketers. He has a deep understanding of our business, the ways in which technology is transforming marketing, the sectors in which we operate, and our FMCG clients in particular. We are very pleased to welcome him to the WPP Board.”

Weed says: “I am delighted to join the WPP Board at such an important and dynamic time for the industry. 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.”

A sometimes controversial figure Weed led Unilever’s charge into digital advertising and then backtracked somewhat as brand safety issues emerged. Most recently he established Unilever’s U-Studios operations with on-site specialist Oliver, said to have saved Unilever millions in agency fees.

One Comment

  1. When the person who interviewed for your job, didn’t get it, but becomes your boss instead. Not exactly an endorsement for Mark Read!

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