NEW YORK (TIP): Just two years after becoming Global President and CEO of Ogilvy North America, Devika Bulchandani has been appointed Global CEO of New York City-based advertising, marketing, and public relations agency. In this role the Indian American executive will be responsible for all aspects of the creative network’s business across 131 offices in 93 countries and spanning its advertising, public relations, experience, consulting, and health units, Ogilvy announced Sep 7.

Bulchandani takes the helm from Andy Main who is stepping down as Global CEO and will serve as a Senior Advisor until the end of the year. She will also join parent firm WPP’s executive committee as she takes on her new role.

“Devika is a champion of creativity who brings passion, purpose, and an uncompromising focus on generating impact to everything she does,” Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said. “In partnership with Andy and Liz Taylor, she has been instrumental in Ogilvy’s recent growth and development,” he noted.

“Her love for our industry, deep understanding of clients’ needs, and track record of delivering growth for agencies and brands, make her the perfect choice to lead Ogilvy to even greater success.”

“David Ogilvy changed the industry 74 years ago when he founded this iconic agency,” said Bulchandani. “As we write the next chapter in the history books of Ogilvy, we will do it together with our clients, using creativity to push the boundaries of what’s possible.” “I am honored and humbled to take on this role, and to do it with all our incredibly talented people all over the world.” Prior to joining Ogilvy, Bulchandani spent 26 years at McCann in various leadership roles including President of McCann North America.

As a leader who believes in the power of creativity to make a positive impact on society, Bulchandani’s proudest achievements have occurred at the intersection of the social causes she champions and brand-building efforts on behalf of clients, the release said. She was the driving force behind Mastercard’s long-running “Priceless” campaign as well as “True Name,” a first-of-its-kind feature launched in 2019 that empowers transgender and non-binary people to display their chosen name on their Mastercard.

Known for ideas that capture the cultural zeitgeist, Bulchandani also helped launch “Fearless Girl,” an iconic and beloved symbol of women’s equality; the campaign became one of the most awarded campaigns in the history of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Next month Bulchandani will be honored by New York Women in Communications (NYWIC) at the 2022 Matrix Awards, which honors women who are making a difference, building community, and inspiring the next generation of female leaders in their field. She has previously received a range of other honors including, NY Power Woman by Moves Magazine; US Advertising Agency Head of the Year by Campaign Magazine; Working Mother of the Year by She Runs It; and ADCOLOR Innovator.

Bulchandani has been the recipient of multiple 4As Jay Chiat Awards for strategic planning. She also serves on the board of the ERA Coalition. She is also a founding member of Times Up Advertising and serves on the boards of the Ad Council, the 4A’s, and the Advertising Club.

Over the last two years the creative network has deepened and grown relationships with current clients while winning new business with brands including Absolut, Enterprise Holdings, World of Hyatt, TD Bank, FEMA, New York Philharmonic, and Audi of America, according to the release. Ogilvy also played a key role in WPP being named as The Coca-Cola Company’s Global Marketing Network Partner. Recently Ogilvy earned the coveted position of Network of the Year at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for the first time since 2016 and secured the same honor from The One Show and Campaign magazine. Additionally, Ogilvy also became the only agency network to secure top rankings on both WARC’s Creative 100 & Effective 100 lists.