WFA Elects Barclays Marketer as New President

The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) has appointed Barclays Bank marketer David Wheldon as its new President for a two-year term, replacing Pernod Ricard CMO Martin Riley who has held the post since 2013.

WFA has a dual mission to help marketers be more effective and efficient in terms of their marketing communications spend, while also helping brand owners protect their license to operate through advocacy and self-regulation.

Wheldon (pictured) joins the WFA Board while continuing to serve as Barclays Group Head of Brand, Reputation and Citizenship. He was previously Vodafone's Global Director of Brand; WPP's CEO of Team Vodafone; CEO of media agency Tempus (prior to its acquisition by WPP); and Chairman of Added Value. Earlier, he served as President of BBDO Europe, Global Director of Advertising at Coca Cola, MD at Lowe Howard Spink, and Managing Partner at WCRS Matthews Marcantonio.

WFA MD Stephan Loerke comments: 'David is one of the global industry's most respected figures with enormous experience of working with some of the world's biggest brands as well as agencies, something that is hugely beneficial as we start a deeper dialogue with advertising holding companies. I would also like to pay tribute to Martin Riley, who has shown remarkable leadership, vision and inclusivity and leaves the organization significantly stronger as a result.'

Other new members elected to the WFA Board are:

• Americo Campos Silva, Global Media Manager, Shell
• Francisco Casa de Falguera, Chief Marketing Officer, Grupo Bimbo
• Paloma Castro Martinez, Director of Global Corporate Affairs, LVMH
• Damien Cummings, Chief Marketing Officer, Philips ASEAN & Pacific
• Sameer Desai, Head of Consumer Healthcare, Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa, Mundipharma
• Thomas Holzapfel, Global Category Leader Marketing, Deutsche Telekom
• Jean Jacques Velkeniers, VP Marketing for Europe, AB InBev
• Sandra Martinelli, EVP of the Brazilian Advertisers Association (ABA).

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.