Publicis Scores Again as WPP’s CMO Laurent Ezekiel Makes a High-Profile Exit

After leading marquee accounts like Coca-Cola and Mars at WPP, Laurent Ezekiel exits the agency to rejoin Publicis Groupe in a move that shakes up the global advertising landscape.

In a year already filled with major shakeups across the advertising world, one of the industry’s most significant exits just took place. Laurent Ezekiel, Chief Marketing Officer of WPP and the CEO of its bespoke Coca-Cola unit OpenX, is stepping down and heading back to his roots at Publicis Groupe. This return marks a full-circle moment for Ezekiel, who previously spent over 16 years at the French advertising giant before joining WPP in 2019.

The timing of his departure could not be more telling. In recent months, WPP has seen multiple high-value accounts move out of its portfolio. Coca-Cola’s North American media business, reportedly worth around 700 million dollars, transitioned to Publicis earlier this year. That move was quickly followed by the Mars media account valued at 1.7 billion dollars and Paramount’s business, further shrinking WPP’s control over long-standing legacy brands.

Ezekiel’s exit now aligns with this series of losses and brings a new edge to Publicis’ current momentum. Not only is Publicis winning accounts, but it is also reclaiming leadership talent that once helped shape its identity. Ezekiel’s return is symbolic and strategic, signalling a consolidation of both talent and trust under Publicis' global umbrella.

WPP, meanwhile, is actively attempting to steady its ship. The company recently appointed Cindy Rose, a former Microsoft executive, as its new CEO. She replaces Mark Read, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Rose’s entry is seen as a fresh chapter in WPP’s journey, one aimed at regaining business confidence and repositioning the company in a challenging market environment.

For Ezekiel, this transition comes after a high-profile tenure leading OpenX, WPP’s tailor-made agency for Coca-Cola. His leadership was central in orchestrating the beverage giant’s global marketing operations under one cohesive structure. His exit now leaves a gap that WPP must quickly address, especially given the scale of business at stake and the recent strain on client retention.

This year has been especially difficult for WPP. With multiple account losses and fewer new business wins, the company recently had to cut its profit forecast, a rare move for an agency of its stature. Ezekiel’s departure only adds to the perception of internal flux. But it also creates a sense of urgency for WPP to innovate fast and chart a renewed course.

As for Publicis, bringing back someone with Ezekiel’s experience and credibility offers an instant upgrade to its already aggressive global strategy. His return not only strengthens client relationships but also reinforces Publicis' narrative of long-term vision and talent loyalty.

The agency wars are heating up, and with every high-level move, the balance of power continues to shift. In this round, Publicis seems to have landed a decisive blow, both in business and in leadership.

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