WPP has tapped McCann global CEO Tyler Turnbull to serve as the next global CEO of WPP Creative, according to sources close to the matter. The high-profile leadership appointment marks a major executive shift within the global advertising holding company landscape, bringing one of the industry’s most closely watched agency turnaround figures into the WPP fold.
Turnbull is leaving his post at McCann after taking the top position in December of 2025. During his tenure at the helm of McCann, he played a critical role in navigating the agency’s complex integration into Omnicom following its major acquisition of Interpublic Group (IPG). That mega-merger fundamentally reshaped the holding company’s operational structure, ultimately creating three powerhouse global creative networks within the newly expanded organization: BBDO, TBWA, and McCann. Turnbull’s stewardship during this high-stakes transition period cemented his reputation as an executive capable of managing massive institutional change while maintaining creative stability across international markets.
Prior to his leadership role at McCann, Turnbull built an extensive track record of agency revitalization at the now-shuttered FCB Global. During his time at FCB, he earned widespread industry recognition and was widely credited with successfully executing a major turnaround of the agency’s Canadian outpost. Under his strategic direction, the regional office experienced a dramatic resurgence, securing major competitive pitches and landing high-profile, blue-chip client accounts including Home Depot, Air Canada, and BMW Canada. His proven ability to drive growth, modernize creative offerings, and secure major brand partnerships propelled him upward within the agency group, culminating in his appointment as FCB’s global CEO in 2022.
The transition to WPP places Turnbull at the center of another major holding company network, where he will be expected to steer WPP Creative through its next chapter of evolution. As the advertising industry continues to navigate shifting economic landscapes, digital transformation, and evolving client expectations, the leadership of WPP Creative remains one of the most influential roles in global marketing communications. Turnbull’s background in managing large-scale network integrations and engineering successful agency turnarounds provides a strong foundation as he prepares to step into the role and assume responsibility for guiding WPP’s global creative output.
