VML, the recent merger of WPP’s VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, has revealed its global creative leadership team.
The team will be led by Debbi Vandeven, former global VMLY&R chief creative officer, and includes industry veterans with diverse expertise to drive creative excellence across the agency’s brand portfolio. Her commitment to pushing creative boundaries aligns with VML’s goal of delivering exceptional value and setting new standards in the evolving global creative landscape.
“I’m thrilled to unite the wonderful creative talent from our two agencies. I have no doubt that we will work as a team to deliver brave, smart work that emotionally connects with people to deliver outstanding results for our clients. Anything we can dream up, we can create — we have the talent to do it. And that’s incredibly exciting,” Vandeven shared.
Rafa Pitanguy will serve as Deputy Global Chief Creative Officer and Global CCO for The Coca-Cola Company. He helped transform the agency into a top creative force across LATAM and worldwide. Rafa also led the agency to consecutive Cannes Lions Agency of the Year awards in 2021 (for Good track) and 2022 (Entertainment).
Kaleeta McDade has been appointed Global Chief Experience Design Officer (CXDO) and Global CXDO for The Coca-Cola Company. According to the release, she will continue to lead the agency’s growing experience design team, bridging creative storytelling, technology, design and user experience for clients across VML’s client portfolio.
McDade has built a reputation for her prowess in driving impactful results for brands. She excels in crafting strategic visions that not only strengthen customer relationships but also resonate across every phase of the engagement life cycle.
Manuel Bordé is the new Global Chief Creative Officer of Commerce. Manuel previously served as CCO lead for VMLY&R Commerce, leading brands into the next great era and accelerating the delivery of creative commerce at the intersection of physical, digital, and social.
Chicago’s Mel Routhier is the Global Chief Creative Officer of Health and Wellness. Mel joined VMLY&R in 2020 to serve as CCO in Chicago. In 2023, she served as jury president at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity for the Health & Wellness Lions.
Bas Korsten is the Global Chief Creative Officer, Innovation, and Co-Chief Creative Officer, EMEA. Korsten has served as global chief creative officer of Wunderman Thompson since 2019. Under his leadership, Wunderman Thompson was named Most Innovative Network by the Cannes Lions for 2020/2021 and received the Innovation Grand Prix for Unilever’s Degree Inclusive, the world’s first inclusive deodorant for people with visual and upper extremity impairment.
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Jon Cook, Global CEO of VML, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver outstanding work that emotionally connects with people, emphasizing the importance of creativity at the core of the business. The team’s focus spans brand experience and advertising, customer experience, and commerce.
“VML has a rich legacy of creating culture-shaping brands that connect emotionally and drive growth. Our belief is that creative must and will span three critical areas: brand experience and advertising, customer experience, and commerce. Creativity runs through all of them and unites them. This outstanding team of global creatives led by Debbi Vandeven is our industry’s best, bar none, and represent the importance of creativity at the core of our business.”
VML has a history of creating culture-shaping brands, and the new global creative leadership team aims to continue this legacy by fostering creativity across various domains, including experience design, commerce, health and wellness, and innovation. The agency has received recognition from prestigious awards, including Cannes Lions, The Drum Awards, The Andys, Art Directors Club, and New York Festivals.
Reel 360 News wishes the new team the best of luck in their new roles.
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