David Wheldon returns as WFA president
By Felicia Nwosu
The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) has appointed David Wheldon OBE, Chief Brand Officer at Allwyn, as its new President. Wheldon, who previously held the position from 2015 to 2019, takes over from Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, who steps down after six years. The association shared the cheering news of his appointment on its website.
Supporting him in the role is Phil Myers, Chief Institutional Affairs and Corporate Communications Officer at Ferrero, who will serve as Deputy President. Myers had previously held this position from 2019 to 2021.
With an extensive career spanning leadership roles at RBS (now NatWest), Barclays, Vodafone, The Coca-Cola Company, and WPP, Wheldon brings a wealth of experience to the WFA. Recognized for his contributions to advertising, he was awarded an OBE by King Charles III in 2021. Since 2020, he has also been the host of the WFA’s Better Marketing Podcast.
Expressing his excitement about the appointment, Wheldon stated, “WFA has ambitious plans to drive transformation across the industry, and I’m thrilled to be leading this effort. It’s an honor to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in global marketing as we navigate this dynamic landscape together.”
The newly appointed leadership will work alongside WFA’s Global Executive Committee, which includes top marketing executives from some of the world’s biggest brands. New members joining the committee for 2025 include:
- Allyson Witherspoon, Corporate Vice President & Global CMO, Nissan Motor Corporation
- Russell Dyer, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Kenvue
- Olayinka Ijabiyi, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, First Bank of Nigeria
- Andrea Hunt, President & CEO, Association of Canadian Advertisers
- Riikka-Maria Lemminki, Managing Director, Marketing Finland
They will work alongside returning members, including senior marketing leaders from Nestlé, Etihad Airways, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Vodafone, Cathay Pacific, and L’Oréal.
With a two-year term ahead, Wheldon is set to steer WFA’s vision for growth, fostering collaboration among industry leaders and ensuring advertisers stay ahead in an evolving global marketplace.
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