WPP Media has elevated Stuart Bowden, former Global Chief Strategy Officer at WPP Open Door, to the newly created role of President – Strategy and Capabilities, Global Clients.

In a note announcing his new position, Bowden said, “We’re discovering and delivering unique growth opportunities for our clients by uniting our Communications Strategy, Applied Innovation, Platform Strategy, Insights, and Business Strategy talent from across our agency brands. This incredible, integrated and AI-enabled team converts complexity into measurable business success for our global clients.”

Bowden has been central to shaping client growth strategies within the WPP network. In his previous role, he defined Wavemaker’s strategic approach, having also held senior leadership positions including Managing Director and CEO of Wavemaker UK, Head of Strategy at PHD UK, and Chief Strategy Officer at Vizeum UK. His career began as a strategist and creative at Grey London and Grey Singapore, before leading in-house communications planning at BT.

Beyond corporate leadership, Bowden has also contributed to industry recognition, serving as a juror at Cannes Lions, the Effies, and the APG Awards. He brings a strong academic foundation to his role, having studied Artificial Intelligence at Oxford’s Saïd Business School. Currently, he is a Visiting Policy Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute, researching bias effects in social platforms.

With his new role, Bowden will oversee WPP Media’s global client strategies, strengthening its integrated, AI-enabled capabilities to drive measurable impact.