Jon serves as global CEO of VML, an agency he’s been an integral part of for the past 28 years. The merger of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R was announced in October 2023; the expanded company became operational in January 2024. The unified agency combines world-class creativity with deep expertise in data, marketing technology and platforms. VML — one of the world’s largest creative agencies — is a global network of approximately 28,000 individuals across more than 60 markets. Jon is a member of the WPP Executive Committee.

VML is proud to serve some of the world’s most recognized and respected brands, including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Intel, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy’s. Principal office locations currently include Detroit, Kansas City, London, New York City, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney.

Under Jon’s leadership, the agency was recognized as 2023 Network of the Year by the New York Festivals, the ANDYs and the ADC Awards. The agency was also recognized as top two on Ad Age’s A-List and ranked seventh globally at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity; it has also been named Cannes Lions Entertainment Agency of the Year three of the past six years.

The agency garnered a 2023 One Show Penta Pencil for Wendy’s, recognizing five years of marketing excellence. It was also recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, which named WPP a “Leader” in Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. Additionally, VML Health was a top 10 MM+M Agency 100 recipient.

Prior to taking the helm of VMLY&R in 2018, Jon served as VML global CEO starting in 2011. During his tenure with the original VML, the agency grew from 30 employees in Kansas City, Missouri, to more than 3,000 employees across six continents. Jon helped the agency garner A-List honors from 2016 to 2018.

Jon is committed to equity, inclusion and belonging at VML. In 2023, the agency was named Agency of the Year for the second consecutive year by New York Festivals 3D DE&I Awards and was recognized by Fast Company as a Best Workplace for Innovators. VML has twice been identified by the Human Rights Campaign as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality, and it repeatedly has been recognized by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption as one of the top 100 Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in the U.S. In 2022, the agency was named among the top three on LinkedIn’s list of the 25 best advertising and marketing companies for jobseekers, and a Best Place to Work and Best D&I Initiative by Campaign. The agency has twice received a perfect score on the HRC Corporate Equality Index.

Jon graduated from the University of Missouri in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. In 2018, Jon delivered the commencement address at the Missouri School of Journalism graduation ceremony. He was named to the 2023 Campaign US 40 Over 40 list and is a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy. Jon relishes spending time with his wife, Lisa, and their three daughters. The family especially enjoys hiking together.