Jon Cook, CEO of VML, joins co-hosts Olivia Morley and Brian Wieser to talk about the agency’s evolution and what it means to lead a business that spans both world-class creative and deep enterprise technology.
Jon walks through how VML was formed through a series of mergers — including Wunderman, J. Walter Thompson, and Y&R — and how the newly unified brand operates across creativity, commerce, customer experience and technology. He explains the structure of VML’s Enterprise Solutions group, which makes up roughly 40 percent of the company, and why the agency’s growth often hinges on integrating those capabilities with its creative engine.
The conversation also covers AI investments, DEI policy implementation across markets, and how the agency prepares for geopolitical uncertainty while staying grounded in consistent values.
Plus, Olivia, Brian and Jon discuss:
- Havas earnings and the tone of “normal” in Q1 performance
- The brand power — and business dissonance — of Stagwell’s Sport Beach
- BarkleyOKRP’s latest acquisition and how VML thinks about fine-tuning through M&A.
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Agency Business features agency CEOs and financial decision-makers alongside third party experts, including agency pitch consultants. We are always accepting pitches, and are particularly interested in hearing from women and leaders of color.
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📩 Brian at brian@madisonandwall.com
📩 Olivia at olivia@fusionfrontmedia.com
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Explore Our Other Podcasts:
📊 The Madison and Wall Podcast – Brian opens up about his latest work—plus crucial economic, financial, and industry trends.
🎬 Screen & Sponsor – Olivia & VaynerMedia media manager Jessie Holder explore how brands are shaping Hollywood.
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