John O’Keeffe

John joined WPP at the very end of 2008 as Worldwide Creative Director, reporting directly to Sir Martin Sorrell. His role involves working with as many people as possible, across agencies, disciplines, and clients, to help raise creative standards. So, as he says, it's a role he shares with everyone in every WPP company.

He began his career at Saatchi and Saatchi, moving to BBH in 1990, where he remained for eighteen years, the last eight of which as Executive Creative Director. During this time the agency garnered fourteen Agency of the Year titles from various bodies, including an unprecedented hat-trick of Campaign Awards. But he is always careful to acknowledge that, as with all such things, it was a team effort.

He also worked on many pitches, including Johnnie Walker, for whom he wrote "Keep Walking," and Barclays - both subsequent Cannes Gold Winners - and led the global Persil/OMO pitch team – BBH’s biggest ever win.

Since becoming Worldwide Creative Director of WPP, it has won back to back Cannes Creative Holding Company of the Year Awards 2011 and 2012. John is married with two children and is a long time Arsenal season ticket holder.