Ogilvy Announces Major Global and APAC Leadership Transitions as Kent Wertime Retires
Ogilvy has just announced a massive shakeup in its executive ranks: Kent Wertime is stepping down at the end of June 2026. To grasp the scale of this departure, you have to look at the sheer number of hats Kent wore. He wasn’t just the Co-CEO of Ogilvy APAC; he was also pulling double (and triple) duty as Ogilvy’s Global Chief Operating Officer and the Global CEO of Ogilvy One.
Concurrently running three of the most demanding portfolios in global advertising is a feat few could pull off, but Kent did it with trademark steady leadership for nearly three decades.
Here is a breakdown of how Ogilvy is reshaping its leadership, what this means for the industry, and the legacy being left behind.
The End of an Era: The Wertime & Reitermann Partnership
Since 2016, Ogilvy’s powerhouse Asia-Pacific region has been steered by a unique co-leadership model between Kent Wertime and Chris Reitermann.
In tandem with Kent’s retirement, Chris will also be stepping away from his Co-CEO role for APAC. However, he isn’t going far. Chris is shifting 100% of his energy toward his role as CEO of WPP Greater China—one of the holding company’s most critical growth engines globally.
“Our partnership has been built on deep trust and friendship… As I transition to focus entirely on driving WPP’s growth in Greater China, I am incredibly proud of what we have built together.” — Chris Reitermann
What Happens Next? (The Transition Plan)
Whenever a leader wearing three major global hats steps down, it leaves a massive pair of shoes to fill. Ogilvy is handling the transition with a dual approach:
1. The Global Roles
Successors for Kent’s roles as Global COO of Ogilvy and Global CEO of Ogilvy One haven’t been named just yet. Ogilvy notes that these appointments will be announced “in due course.”
2. The APAC Region
Instead of rushing to name a singular replacement for the APAC Co-CEOs, Ogilvy is leaning into its deep bench of regional talent. The APAC leadership responsibilities will be absorbed by the existing regional leadership team (including a nod from Chris to leader Kyoko Matsushita), working hand-in-hand with local market leaders to ensure zero disruption for clients.
The Legacy: From Dial-Up to AI
To understand Kent Wertime’s impact, you have to look back to 1999. When Kent joined Ogilvy as the CEO of Ogilvy Interactive Asia Pacific, the internet was still in its infancy. He was an early, bullish champion of digital transformation long before “digital transformation” became a corporate buzzword.
Over 27 years, he didn’t just witness the shift from traditional print and TV to digital, social, and data-driven advertising—he actively architected it for Ogilvy’s biggest global clients.
Global CEO Laurent Ezekiel summarized the sentiment across the network perfectly, calling Kent a “true Ogilvy giant” who combined sharp commercial acumen with a rare legacy of mentorship.
The Big Picture Takeaway
Leadership transitions of this scale can sometimes signal internal friction, but this move feels distinctly evolutionary.
By freeing up Chris Reitermann to focus exclusively on WPP Greater China, WPP ensures its most vital market gets undivided attention during a complex economic era. Meanwhile, Kent’s retirement closes a legendary chapter of corporate stamina and digital pioneering, paving the way for a new generation of leaders to redefine Ogilvy One and Ogilvy’s global operations.
Source: https://www.ogilvy.com
