WPP Media Names Laura Ryan as Chief Media Officer

WPP Media has appointed Laura Ryan as Chief Media Officer, bringing a senior media executive into a global role spanning investment, partnerships, media management, and activation. 

Ryan joins WPP Media from IPG, where she most recently served as Global CEO of Orion Worldwide. She spent more than 15 years at Orion, holding leadership positions across client services, media, operations, and product development before becoming Global CEO in 2022.

In her new position, Ryan will oversee WPP Media's global investment, partnerships, media management, and activation teams. She will also work with global client teams and the company's technology organization on products and capabilities related to media and marketing.

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Her background includes leadership across multiple parts of the media ecosystem. At Orion, Ryan previously served as Global President and Global Client Officer, working with clients and agency teams across different markets. She also held senior roles in the company's U.S. operations and was involved in product development and addressable media initiatives.

The appointment comes as media agencies continue to bring investment, data, technology, and activation closer together. WPP Media was established in 2025 as WPP's global media company, combining media, data, and production capabilities through its broader technology infrastructure.

For Ryan, the new role expands her remit from leading an individual media organization to overseeing major global functions within WPP Media. It also places her at the intersection of media investment, partnerships, technology, and client operations as the advertising industry continues to adapt to changes in AI, measurement, and cross-channel media.

The appointment adds another senior leadership layer to WPP Media's global media organization as the company continues to integrate its capabilities across markets and functions.