VMLY&R Merger and Wunderman Thompson Makes Strategic Appointment, Driving Global Creativity in 2024.
A VML announces the appointment of Karina Ribeiro as CEO for Brazil. In her new role, she will take over an agency that is among the most awarded in the country, which works for 58 different brands for 27 clients. Karina will report to Stefano Zunino, who, in addition to being WPP’s country manager, will take on the role of CEO of Grupo VML Brasil.
Result of the merger between VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, VML was born as the largest global creative company, combining brand experience, customer experience and commerce. The operation will begin in Brazil, as well as in the rest of the world, from January 1, 2024. In addition to the parent agency, the VML Brasil Group is made up of: Markedata, Corebiz, Mutato, Mirum, VML Commerce, VML Health, iCherry, Pmweb and Enext.
“Throughout her career of more than 20 years within WPP, Karina has proven to have the talent and knowledge to lead this important moment for the agency in the country and accelerate the transformation of the Brazilian market as a whole. I’m happy that Karina is joining the VML family and that she can count even more on Stefano’s support in this new challenge, says Jon Cook, Global CEO of VML.
For almost two decades, Karina Ribeiro worked at Ogilvy Brasil, where she went from intern to CMO (Chief Marketing Officer), New Business Leader and Head of Advertising for Latam, in addition to currently leading some global projects for WPP clients. From 2012 to 2016, she was Managing Director of DAVID, one of the most recognized global creative powerhouses. Mother of two children, Karina graduated in Advertising from ESPM and in Gastronomy. “I am excited and motivated by the opportunity to lead the largest creative agency in the world in Brazil, which brings together incredible talents and all the skills to build brands and connected businesses”, says the new CEO of VML.
“Karina’s appointment recognizes the commitment and competence of an internal talent that grew together with WPP in the country”, celebrates Stefano Zunino. “Now, your mission will be to boost all VML deliveries, which have creativity as their backbone.”
Fernando Taralli, who held the position of CEO of VMLY&R Brasil, will assume a position with clients at WPP Latam. Pedro Reiss, who served as CEO of Wunderman Thompson, leaves the company to seek new challenges.
Taralli and Reiss had an important contribution in building the history of the two agencies that are now joining together. We thank them both and wish them success in their new journeys, says Stefano.
VML Brasil will be led by its creative team Sleyman Khodor (who already served as CCO of VMLY&R) and was born with a history of significant achievements in the creativity market. Over the past three years, VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson have collectively won 34 Lions inCannes Lions International Festival, including the first Brazilian Glass Grand Prix (with the case “Eu Sou”, by VMLY&R for Starbucks, in 2021). At the Effie Awards Brasil, the two agencies achieved the incredible milestone of taking home three Grand Effies in the last four years – including the 2023 Grand Prix for Buscap created by VMLY&R for Vivo.
*Cover photo: Disclosure/VMLY&R
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