• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, January 6, 2023

Long-time WPP executive Jeremy Bullmore died peacefully at home this week at the age of 93. The sad news was shared by CEO Mark Read in a memo to staffers.

Bullmore had just retired from WPP last fall after a 67-year career at the holding company. To celebrate, WPP created an online archive called “Best of Bullmore.” 

“Jeremy was one of the most admired, loved and cherished people in our industry,” Read stated in the memo. “For nearly seven decades in the business he shared his intelligence, humor and wisdom with unconditional generosity. He had time for everyone, whether you were a CEO or just starting out in your career, and so many of us who sought advice from him over the years will remember that his incisive wit and analysis were always accompanied by thoughtfulness, sensitivity and kindness.”

Bullmore started his career at J. Walter Thompson London, which he joined in 1954 as a copywriter and working his way up to chairman. He left the agency in 1987 and served on the board of WPP and in other roles with the company for another 30-plus years.

During that time, noted Read, “he not only helped to launch countless brands and careers, he also elevated the business of advertising as a whole with his depth of insight, forensic analysis and always-original commentary on what we do. We all owe him a great deal.”

Bullmore’s family has asked that that anyone who wishes to honor his memory can make a donation to Shelter, a charity for the homeless, which can be done here.