Sharb Farjami, CEO of WPP Media North America, is leaving the company, according to a staff memo obtained by ADWEEK.
Brian Lesser, CEO of WPP Media globally, will take on direct leadership of the North America region while the company searches for Farjami’s successor. WPP Media’s regional executive committee will report directly to Lesser during the transition, with Farjami supporting the handover.
Farjami has led WPP’s media operations in North America since January 2024, after running media agency Wavemaker in the region. Based in New York, he sat at the helm as the group went through a period of transition, including a rebranding and restructure in May.
In a note to staff announcing his departure, Lesser credited Farjami with helping WPP Media win clients including Adobe, Audible, and Johnson & Johnson and “guiding the rollout of our new operating model and brand in the region.”
“Sharb’s leadership laid the foundation for our success and was instrumental in our transformation,†Lesser wrote in the note. “He has been a tireless advocate for our clients and our business. As a former CEO of North America, I know firsthand the scale of his contributions and the legacy he leaves. He will be missed. â€
“The past four years at WPP Media have been an extraordinary journey marked by meaningful milestones with a remarkable team,†Farjami wrote in a statement. “I’m deeply proud of what we’ve achieved and grateful to everyone who’s been part of it. I’ll always be cheering on WPP Media in its next chapter.â€
The leadership shift comes during a pivotal period for WPP Media. In May, the media network rebranded from GroupM and restructured to more closely integrate its agencies on the back-end. The news came after a string of major account losses, including Coca-Cola and Mars.
In August, the network had a big win when it unseated Carat to win Mastercard’s $180 million global media account, ending a decade-long relationship.
The leadership shift at WPP Media comes amid broader change at parent WPP. Cindy Rose took the helm of the holding company on Sept. 1, succeeding Mark Read. In her first address to staff, Rose acknowledged “a lot of hard work ahead†but said she felt “super excited to co-create the new WPP together.â€
In its latest earnings report, WPP announced a strategic review as its revenue dropped by 5.8%.
Below is the full text of Lesser’s internal note to staff.
Team,
I’m writing you today to share that Sharb Farjami is leaving WPP to pursue an opportunity outside of a media agency. I’m deeply grateful for the impact he’s had over the past two years as CEO of WPP Media North America and, previously, as CEO of Wavemaker US. Effective immediately, I will oversee North America as we begin the search for our next North America CEO, with the regional executive committee reporting directly to me. Sharb will support me during our period of transition.
Sharb’s leadership laid the foundation for our success and was instrumental in our transformation. From bringing in clients like Adobe, Audible, and Johnson & Johnson, to guiding the rollout of our new operating model and brand in the region, he has been a tireless advocate for our clients and our business. As a former CEO of North America, I know firsthand the scale of his contributions and the legacy he leaves. He will be missed.
I believe the future holds even greater opportunities for us, thanks to the work that has already been done, and I’m excited for what we will accomplish together. I look forward to working even more closely with our US and Canada leadership teams as we build on the momentum Sharb helped create.
Please join me in wishing Sharb continued success in his next chapter.
Brian
