10th June 2025
Matt McNeany on disruption, reinvention and investing in your own future
Episode 32
Matt McNeany
President, WPP Open
Today’s guest is Matt McNeany, President at WPP Open. Drawing on two decades of experience helping the world’s biggest brands and agencies navigate digital transformation, Matt offers some much needed big picture context around AI.
His ‘streamline, expand, disrupt’ model extends the established benefits of greater productivity and unpacks why differentiated agencies will be more essential than ever as the brand, marketing and customer experience rule books are rewritten.
Matt also offers an unfashionable take on the prospects of the holding companies vs challengers like Brandtech, Stagwell and Accenture Song.
Finally he reflects on the human side of transformation, offering valuable advice to all of us knowledge workers to ensure we remain essential.
HIGHLIGHTS:
[05:59] Why optimism beats uncertainty
[07:46] How AI changes businesses
[12:34] Efficiency is just the beginning
[16:39] How HoldCo.s vs indies will play out
[22:10] Pricing in an AI-driven world
[27:59] The increasing risk of agency commoditization
[29:39] Embracing the reinvented customer journey
[32:43] Disruption to white-collar jobs
[36:36] The promise of greater fulfillment
[37:37] Taking responsibility in the AI revolution
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Episode 49
Jaime Robinson & Lisa Clunie
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Episode 48
Andrew Swinand
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A balanced take on indies vs HoldCo.s
Episode 47
John Harris
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Episode 46
Karen Martin
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Guy Wieynk
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Dimi Albers
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Mark Figliulo
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Rania Robinson
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Luke Smith
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Richard Morris
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Allen Adamson
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Michael Olaye
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Lisa Colantuono
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Episode 30
Eric Zuncic
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Holly Maguire
Global Chief Growth Officer, Design Bridge & Partners
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Episode 28
Michael Lebowitz
Founder & Executive Chairman, SPCSHP
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Episode 27
Marla Kaplowitz
CEO, 4A's
Challenging the global market
Episode 26
James Townsend
CEO, Stagwell EMEA
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