FutureBrand is entering a significant phase of organizational transformation, marked by the departure of global CEO Nick Sykes after nearly 15 years with the brand strategy and design consultancy. His exit is one of the most notable leadership changes within Interpublic Group (IPG) as it moves closer to its anticipated merger with Omnicom—a union that will create the world’s largest advertising holding company.
Sykes’ departure comes alongside the exit of the entire global executive leadership team within the same week. Those stepping down include chief creative officer Gianni Tozzi, global chief strategy officer Jon Tipple, chief people and culture officer Katy Nunn, chief growth officer Lauren Maynard, and long-time executive assistant Louise Nelson. Aside from Tozzi, who operated from Milan, the global leaders were based in London.
This leadership shift aligns with FutureBrand’s structural realignment, which sees the agency removed from the McCann Worldgroup framework. Moving forward, regional teams will be integrated more closely with their respective local McCann offices, while FutureBrand London will now operate under McCann U.K. The London office—home to around 60 employees—has supported major projects including World Athletics’ Ultimate Championship and SCI Ventures.
Sykes joined FutureBrand in 2010 and became global CEO in 2019 after holding several senior roles within McCann Worldgroup. The departing executives bring similarly long histories: Tozzi has spent 17 years with the network, Tipple over a decade, and Nelson ten years. Nunn and Maynard, though more recent, led key global people and growth functions.
According to a McCann spokesperson, the restructuring aims to integrate FutureBrand more deeply with the group’s core brand-building capabilities, emphasizing that design and experience disciplines are increasingly central to contemporary marketing. The spokesperson also acknowledged the outgoing leadership team for elevating FutureBrand’s global influence in brand design.
FutureBrand’s London office shares space with McCann London, McCann Worldgroup, and Weber Shandwick—part of a broader consolidation within IPG agencies. In the U.S., FutureBrand has been operating within Dxtra, the holding company’s specialist communications division, alongside PR firms Golin and Weber Shandwick.
These changes come amid broader restructuring across the Interpublic Group, including workforce reductions ahead of the expected Omnicom acquisition. Neither IPG nor FutureBrand has commented publicly on the leadership departures.
The agency has seen additional senior movements in recent months. Former managing director Polly Hopkins exited in October to join Elmwood in a leadership role. FutureBrand also drew global attention in 2022 for its work on Tata Group’s rebranding of Air India, which included a refreshed identity and visual system.
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