STEVE MCCLELLAN

Articles by Stephen All articles by Stephen

• The Unholding Company in MAD on 02/27/2026
  

  "We're moving to a single company model with four operating units," WPP CEO Cindy Rose explained at London HQ late last week, adding, "WPP will no longer be a holding company."

• Brandtech Adds Regional CEOs For NA, U.K., France in MAD on 02/26/2026
  

  Former Huge CEO De Bonis will oversee the U.K., Jeff Matisoff will manage North America and Julie Hardy will run France.

• COMvergence: 2025 Marcom M&A Volume Grew Slightly in MAD on 02/26/2026
  

  Last year of course, one deal towered in significance above all others - Omnicom's acquisition of IPG.

• WPP Reports Stunted 2025, Unveils Turnaround Plan in MAD on 02/26/2026
  

  Today WPP spent more effort communicating what its turnaround plan is - the latest in a series of turnaround plans that began when Mark Read was appointed CEO in 2018.

• Havas Named Integrated AOR For Pharma Company Indivior in MAD on 02/25/2026
  

  The company spent about $60 million on measured media last year, according to agency research firm COMvergence.

• HD Wins Remits For Additional PurposeBuilt Brands in Accounts on the Move on 02/25/2026
  

• 'Luma Dream Brief' Jurors Announced in MAD on 02/25/2026
  

  The list includes agency creatives, Hollywood writers and producers, CMO's and more. Submissions close March 22.

• WPP, Adobe Expand Partnership: Form Client Transformation Practice in MAD on 02/24/2026
  

  WPP and Adobe have created a new marketing solution that provides brands with access to agentic AI workflows and orchestration from both companies.

• OpenTable Launches Retail Media Operation in MAD on 02/24/2026
  

  The restaurant management platform fills 1.9 million seats in restaurants each year and brands can now access its first-party data to drive awareness, product launches and more.

• Dentsu Creative Wins Waterloo Water Social AOR in MAD on 02/23/2026
  

  The remit includes social strategy, creative development, content production, and optimization.

Comments by Stephen All comments by Stephen

• Interpublic's R/GA Taken Private By Truelink Capital by Steve McClellan (MAD on 03/03/2025)
  

  Good question, Scott. Not disclosed so far. 

• International Advertising Association Establishes North American Chapter by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 03/17/2023)
  

  Michael, the IAA has had a New York chapter but has never had a North America chapter. This will encompass all of the US, Canada and Mexico, according to the group. Thank you for rasing the point as the article should have provided that background. 

• How Much Does Gun Advertising Contribute To All The Killing? by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 06/01/2022)
  

  Steve, here is a link to the NYT story referrenced in the Whitman column. It does not show the videogame type ads described in the piece. It does link to a Daniel Defense ad featuring children. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/28/business/daniel-defense-rifle-texas-shooting-gun.html?searchResultPosition=1

• New Era At Accenture Interactive As Droga Is Poised To Take The Reins by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/23/2021)
  

  Oops, thanks for pointing that out John.

• 4A's Creates Agency Review Participation Agreement by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/24/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, I think you're right--an effort to make clients aware agencies have major issues with the current process, particularly when the client doesn't retain professional help with the search. No power per se. 

• Agency Review Activity Spikes After Quiet 2020 by Steve McClellan (MAD on 07/09/2021)
  

  Hi Michael, the $544 million figure is a net figure that does take into account losses. No doubt marketers are pressing for lower fees/prices whereever they can find them, with all suppliers. But the spike probably does reflect the fact that marketers put off reviews last year to deal with other more pressing COVID-related issues. 

• Imagine A Pro Sports Team Called The 'New York Jews' by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 07/13/2020)
  

  Ed, I think the hockey team has a claim on the Capitals name there, although St. Louis had both a baseball Cardinals and a football Cardinals for some time. To your broader point, yeah, there are a lot options for non-offensive names. 

• Despite Rumors To The Contrary, Manly Men Drink Rose by Richard Whitman (Mediapsssst on 08/06/2017)
  

  Thanks Nicholas, as editor of this column I should have caught that. Appreciate that you did. 

• Brands Failing To Provide Quality Training In Media Skills by Steve McClellan (MAD on 10/28/2016)
  

  It is J.R., although it's usually not referred to as 'educatiing' and frequently it is people below the c suite. But often agencies meet with clients to 'brief' them on this or that issue. Which makes sense given that the former are supposed to be experts in the field. 

• Agencies React To Finger-Pointing, 4As Calls ANA Report Anonymous, One-Sided by Steve McClellan (MAD on 06/07/2016)
  

  Thanks for catching that Michael, now fixed.

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