Fiona Gordon appointed Global CEO of Ogilvy’s Advertising, James Murphy as CEO of Ogilvy Group UK

By Zion Rufus

Ogilvy has appointed Fiona Gordon as the Global CEO of Advertising, marking a key moment in the agency’s evolution. Gordon, who has been CEO of Ogilvy UK since 2021, will now oversee the creative network’s global advertising, brand, and content efforts. She will report directly to Devika Bulchandani, Global CEO of Ogilvy, and join the agency’s Global Executive Committee.

Gordon’s appointment comes at a time of transformation for Ogilvy and its parent company WPP. The announcement coincides with WPP’s acquisition of New Commercial Arts (NCA), a boutique agency founded in 2020 by industry veterans James Murphy and David Golding. The acquisition brings NCA under Ogilvy’s global creative network, further boosting its creative and strategic capabilities in the UK.

Since taking over as Ogilvy UK CEO, Gordon has been instrumental in driving the agency’s resurgence, positioning it as the #1 creative agency in the UK, according to WARC’s 2024 Creative 100 rankings. Her leadership has seen Ogilvy UK secure major new business wins, including Molson Coors and Valeo Foods UK, along with industry accolades like the Best Large Influencer Marketing Agency at the Global Influencer Marketing Awards.

Gordon’s influence within Ogilvy spans decades and continents. Since starting as a graduate trainee in the 1990s, she has held leadership roles across EMEA, Asia, and the US, amassing a wealth of experience across the advertising, customer experience, PR, and consulting sectors. Her track record includes overseeing the successful revitalization of Ogilvy Singapore as Group Chairperson, and building a multi-award-winning team as WPP UK Team Lead for Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Speaking on her new role, Gordon expressed her excitement at the opportunity to lead Ogilvy’s global advertising strategy. “I’m invigorated by the boundless potential of creativity to not only propel businesses forward but to leave an indelible mark on culture. Collaborating with Devika and Ogilvy’s Worldwide Creative Council will be a tremendous opportunity to drive real impact in today’s ever-evolving landscape,” she said.

With Gordon’s promotion, James Murphy, founder and CEO of NCA, will take over as CEO of Ogilvy Group UK. Murphy, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in UK advertising, previously co-founded Adam&Eve in 2008, which became one of the most successful agencies in the country. Under his leadership, NCA rapidly grew into a creative powerhouse, becoming the UK’s fastest-growing agency in 2023.

Ogilvy UK’s Director of Communications, Hugo Eyre Varnier, expressed excitement about the transition. “Days don’t get much bigger than this. Our beloved Fiona Gordon becomes Ogilvy’s Global CEO of Advertising, and with WPP’s inspired acquisition of New Commercial Arts, we welcome NCA into Ogilvy UK with open arms,” he said.

Murphy will lead both Ogilvy UK and NCA, positioning the combined force as a dominant player in the UK’s creative industry. With the integration of NCA, Ogilvy UK is set to benefit from NCA’s creative firepower, further accelerating its momentum in the market.

Fiona Gordon’s elevation to Global CEO of Advertising reflects her dedication to the power of creativity and her ability to steer teams toward industry-leading outcomes. Devika Bulchandani praised Gordon’s leadership, stating, “Fiona is a proven champion of creativity, a trusted partner to many of our top clients, and a passionate steward of the founder culture that makes Ogilvy shine. I’m thrilled that our global network will benefit from her leadership as she steps into this role.”