By Erik Oster
Ogilvy CEO John Seifert announced in an internal memo that he will be retiring as the agency’s chief executive in 2021.
Seifert has spent 41 years with the WPP agency, the last five as global CEO. In the memo, Seifert said that he and WPP CEO Mark Read agreed earlier this year that the time was right to search for a successor to lead Ogilvy globally. Given the time necessary for such a search, Seifert said he will continue to act in the role until the next CEO is appointed.
“In a moment like this, I am more committed than ever to our people, our clients, and the Ogilvy brand,” Seifert said.
He concluded the memo by calling it “an extraordinary privilege” to serve the agency since first arriving as an intern in 1979, and said, “I love this company with all my heart and will be forever supportive of its success.”
