John Gutteridge Announced as CEO of Wunderman Thompson Australia/NZ

WPP AUNZ today announces that John Gutteridge is returning to Australia to take on the newly created role of chief executive officer for Wunderman Thompson Australia/NZ.

WPP AUNZ executive director, John Steedman, said: “John was an obvious choice. Wunderman Thompson is a formidable offering and the opportunity to lead the new agency and create a creative, data and technology powerhouse is just what John was after. Leading JWT in APAC John successfully established himself as one of the most forward-thinking leaders in today’s marketplace - blending his award-winning creativity with his deep expertise in data and technology marketing will create an industry powerhouse. His appointment is great news for Wunderman Thompson staff, its clients and WPP AUNZ."

Gutteridge said of his appointment: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in APAC and there’s much to be proud of. I shall truly miss our clients, the diverse cultures and the great talent we have across the region. I am now relishing the prospect of being more intimately involved with the running of the business, the product and of course our clients, as we launch the exciting proposition of Wunderman Thompson.”

Gutteridge will report into the CEO of WPP AUNZ (once appointed) and will also be a member of the WPP AUNZ executive committee responsible for driving innovation across the entire WPP group.

“The opportunity to play a key role and influence the future of WPP AUNZ is also tremendously exciting. I know the executive team well and look forward to working closely with them all in what will be an exciting year ahead. I can’t wait to get started,” Gutteridge concluded.

Tamara Ingram, chairman, Wunderman Thompson added: “John has been a very strong and effective leader in APAC and brought considerable talent and new business to the region. The business is now more diversified and modernised both in terms of skills and output. John and I have been in discussions since last year about his need to be closer to his family in Australia, this is a great outcome for John, Wunderman Thompson and WPP AUNZ".

Gutteridge’s successful tenure as J. Walter Thompson APAC CEO has seen the network bolstered by the closer collaboration of JWT and Mirum under single management in SEA and a number of strong in-market senior hires. New business has doubled year on year, elevating the network from eleventh in 2017, to second place as of November 2018 in Asia Pacific rankings. Awards success in 2018 included five Cannes Lions and 10 Spikes, plus 6 APAC Effies and Tangrams.

Major initiatives rolled out across the region included Centres of Excellence for Data & Analytics, Experience Design and Strategy, as well as work-life balance program Flow, young talent advisory committee FutureCo, ‘Make’ IP development and the roll-out of JWT Intelligence in APAC.

Gutteridge returns to Australia Q1, 2019.