New Delhi: In a significant move that reverberated through the advertising industry, WPP, one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing services companies, today announced the departure of Ajaz Ahmed, the founder and CEO of AKQA Group, after three decades at the helm.
Ahmed, a visionary figure in the digital advertising space, founded AKQA in 1994 and has been instrumental in its growth into a global powerhouse. His resignation marks the end of an era for the agency, which WPP acquired in 2012.
To ensure a smooth transition, WPP has appointed Stephan Pretorius, its chief technology officer, as interim chair of AKQA Group. Pretorius will oversee the business while the company searches for a permanent successor to Ahmed. In addition, the existing leadership teams at AKQA and Grey, another WPP agency, will continue to lead their respective operations.
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“Serving AKQA’s team, clients, and values over the past 30 years has been the greatest honor of my life,” Ahmed said in a statement. “Founding AKQA at a young age was the start of an incredible journey, and I look forward to another 30 years of meaningful work and making a difference.”
Mark Read, CEO of WPP, praised Ahmed’s leadership and contribution to the company. “Under Ajaz’s leadership, AKQA has become one of the world’s most recognized and highly regarded agencies,” Read said. “It’s a brilliant business with many extremely talented people around the world.”
While Ahmed’s departure marks the end of a chapter for AKQA, the agency’s future appears bright. With its strong global presence and experienced leadership team, AKQA is well-positioned to continue its growth and innovation in the digital advertising landscape.
