Amy Weisenbach

One of the more fascinating takeaways I gained from my panel at CES was the evolution of the consumer, particularly as it relates to Gen Z. We’ve seen how generational shifts influence behavior, but some changes aren’t just trends—they’re signals of what consumers value now and where they’re headed. What does that mean for brands? The general consensus was this: Follow the consumer. One speaker from Jackson Family Wines shared a great example of their own experience adjusting strategy to meet evolving demand. She pointed out that while people still enjoyed a good glass of wine, they wanted options that aligned with their lifestyle. Whether that meant fewer calories or less alcohol, brands like Jackson Wines were responding with innovative products that suited new preferences. This isn’t necessarily about launching a new product or changing what you’re doing completely. It’s about being curious, and considering what the consumer is asking for, as it aligns with your brand’s purpose and values. Engage with your audience, use data to understand their needs, and test small, meaningful adjustments that align with both their preferences and your brand’s core identity. Such a great discussion! I'll share NielsenIQ's recent Spend Z report in the comments for those who are interested. Any trends you’ve seen recently that you think are here to stay?

51

2 Comments

A brutal assessment of why Cindy Rose is exactly what WPP needs to regain it's momentum in the market. First, let's cut through the corporate cheerleading about WPP's new CEO appointment. Yes, Cindy Rose is historic as the first woman to lead a major ad holding company (Fk, yeah), but that's not why she's the right choice. WPP is broken. Shares at 16-year lows. Market cap down two-thirds. Lost its crown to Publicis. Hemorrhaging clients like Mars ($1.7bn) and Coca-Cola. Last week's profit warning triggered a 19% share plunge. The company has spent years promising to become an "AI-driven platform business" while competitors actually built one. Mark Read tried. Seven years of internal restructuring, agency mergers, and strategy decks couldn't stop the bleeding. WPP needed an outsider who understood the business from the inside. They got exactly that. Rose isn't another agency lifer promising creative transformation. She's an operations surgeon who turned Microsoft UK from £2.14bn to £4.03bn revenue in two years. While WPP talked about AI, she was implementing it - rolling out Microsoft Copilot across industries, helping Fortune 500 companies actually transform their businesses. Here's what matters: 🟢 She's been on WPP's board since 2019. She watched this slow-motion car crash unfold from the boardroom. No learning curve. No honeymoon period. 🟢 She knows exactly where the bodies are buried and why previous fixes failed. The advertising industry is becoming an enterprise software business whether agencies like it or not. Clients want platforms, automation, and measurable ROI - not more creative awards. Rose spent nine years at Microsoft's enterprise division. She understands how to build and scale platform businesses that serve large corporate clients. 🟢 The "insider-outsider" label is perfect. She brings Microsoft's enterprise credibility and client relationships while understanding WPP's operational chaos. She's made the hard decisions to streamline complex organizations. She's not afraid of painful cuts or difficult restructuring. 🟢 Most importantly, she's not trying to be liked. WPP doesn't need another visionary making grand promises. It needs someone to make the brutal operational changes required to compete in an AI-driven market. Rose has the enterprise tech credibility, operational experience, and insider knowledge to fix WPP. She also has the client relationships to stop the exodus. But transformation requires more than a new CEO - it requires a board willing to support difficult decisions. Now comes the hard part - execution. SoulPurpose Advisory wants to know if you think Rose is the operational leader WPP needs, or just another CEO inheriting an impossible situation?

296

49 Comments