WPP appoints Houston as U.S. President
By Abimbola Mohammed
WPP has announced the appointment of Michael Houston, global chief executive officer of Grey, as the new President of WPP’s business in the United States.
The role is new and aligns the company’s leadership structure in the U.S. with other major markets. The U.S. is WPP’s largest market; it employs approximately 20,000 people here and generates annual revenues of around $6 billion.
Houston will assist AKQA group chief executive officer, Ajaz Ahmed, with the transition to new leadership at Grey and will continue as a member of the WPP executive committee.
He will be responsible for promoting WPP’s offer and collective capabilities, supporting agency chief executive officers, and bringing together people and resources for clients. He will shape the company’s US campus strategy and play a key role in talent attraction and retention with a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
Mark Read, CEO of WPP, stated: “The United States is our largest market and home to many of our most important clients. Michael is admired and respected across the industry and has made an exceptional contribution during his 15 years at Grey. I am delighted that he is taking on this important new role for WPP, supporting our people and agencies and bringing the best of WPP to our clients.”
Ahmed said, “With our positive growth trajectory and momentum, we look forward o the continuing partnership with Michael to inspire and enable our people to thrive, unlocking unrivalled expertise that will fuel innovation on behalf of the clients and audiences we serve.”
Houston said, “I am honoured to become the first president of WPP in the US, eager to work across the company, having spent so much of my career at our agencies, and humbled to partner with the most creative minds in the industry. We have a unique opportunity to deliver transformational results for our clients and drive growth through greater collaboration across our powerhouse agencies. Together, we can unleash our unrivalled capabilities and diverse talent in every discipline to usher in a bright future for our clients, people and communities.”
Houston joined Grey in 2007 and was named Managing Director of Grey New York in 2011, CEO for North America in 2013 and Global CEO in 2017. In addition to Grey, he has held senior leadership positions at KB+P, Landor and Y&R, as well as founding a brand consultancy in the 1990s. He has worked across multiple functions of the marketing services business, including accounts, strategy, business development and corporate communications.
He sits on the board of Concern Worldwide, a global humanitarian group dedicated to tackling poverty and suffering in the world’s poorest countries. He also serves on the boards of the Institute of International Education, Effie Worldwide and the AdCouncil.
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