AKQA Names Accenture Song’s Baiju Shah as Global CEO

AKQA has appointed Baiju Shah as its new world CEO. Shah, a 25-year Accenture veteran, co-founded its advertising and marketing division, Accenture Music, and most not too long ago served as world chief technique officer (CSO).He takes the helm of the WPP-owned company following a significant restructuring and the departure of founder and former CEO Ajaz Ahmed in late 2024.WPP mentioned in a press launch that Shah’s appointment mirrored its mission to “ship excellent creativity coupled with experience in AI, information, and expertise.”“AKQA has all the time stood for iconic, artistic innovation. I’m honored to hitch an organization whose heritage is not only historical past, however a basis for what comes subsequent,” Shah mentioned in an announcement. “As AI and cultural shifts rework how enterprise operates and the way creativity itself is practiced, we now have a exceptional alternative to create work that shapes how individuals dwell and join.”AKQA introduced 4 senior government appointments in April, naming Miriam Plon Sauer as world CSO, Ben Royce as chief expertise officer (CTO), Tim Devine as chief invention officer (CIO), and Jonathan Bolden as chief transformation officer (CTO). AKQA can also be driving excessive from its latest recognition on the 2025 Cannes Lions, the place it received a Grand Prix for Innovation for “Sounds Proper”, a marketing campaign created by its Copenhagen workplace for The Museum of the United Nations and Spotify. Nevertheless, Shah’s appointment comes lower than per week after father or mother firm WPP issued a shock revenue warning following a number of main consumer losses on the media aspect.Amid WPP’s challenges, outgoing CEO Mark Learn has been upping funding in WPP’s AI and information capabilities. Learn, who is about to get replaced by Microsoft exec CIndy Rose in September, mentioned: “Over the previous twenty years, [Shah] has demonstrated that he’s considered one of our trade’s leaders in bringing technique, creativity, and rising expertise collectively. I do know his arrival will convey even additional momentum to the enterprise.”In an inside memo reviewed by ADWEEK, Shah shared his pleasure about main AKQA. “This is likely one of the few locations the place the longer term isn’t an abstraction; it’s the product,” he wrote. “I strongly consider there’s a large benefit of getting a number of lenses to see the world absolutely; to know individuals and clear up for them.”Learn the total memo under:Expensive Staff,I’m completely delighted to hitch you as AKQA’s International CEO.AKQA has all the time stood for iconic artistic innovation. For over 30 years, it’s been a spot the place craft, tradition, and expertise have come collectively to form what’s subsequent. I’m honored to now be a part of this exceptional journey, and much more impressed by what we will create collectively.We’ll proceed to uphold the artistic excellence that made AKQA legendary, whereas additionally difficult ourselves with new methods of considering, working, and main. We live at a time when expertise and human creativeness are rewriting the principles of progress and inventive chance.  As I sat with my most influential mentors (my children) and mentioned my subsequent chapter, it was clear this was no time to be a spectator. I used to be drawn to AKQA as completely positioned to steer the following wave.This is likely one of the few locations the place the longer term isn’t an abstraction; it’s the product.  Rising up with a mom who was educated as a business artist and a father who was an engineer, I discovered early on easy methods to mix creativity with practicality.  I strongly consider there’s a large benefit of getting a number of lenses to see the world absolutely; to know individuals and clear up for them. I’ve designed my very own profession to traverse expertise, AI, enterprise technique, advertising and marketing and design. I’ve discovered easy methods to construct at scale with out dropping soul, and I consider that creativity and AI should now work as one. What excites me most about this second is that AKQA is uniquely positioned to redefine what a contemporary artistic firm could be.As I mentioned within the announcement at the moment, that is about greater than artistic output; it’s about how creativity unlocks progress and chance in solely new methods. It’s about changing into a proving floor for the artistic and accountable utility of expertise like AI and immersive experiences.  We would be the ahead scouts for our shoppers, for WPP, and for the trade, anticipating what’s to come back.  For me, this isn’t a job, it’s a mission. (And judging by the handfuls of messages I’ve obtained at the moment from extraordinary expertise who wish to be part of us, it’s a mission that resonates.)I’m not blind to the challenges and uncertainty that you’ve got confronted at work and all of us face on this planet.  However I stay deeply optimistic.  All through my profession, I’ve discovered that what units probably the most impactful organizations aside is a shared goal and the braveness to consistently reimagine what’s doable. I see that very same spirit right here at AKQA, and I’m grateful for the chance to assist form our subsequent chapter.Now what?  Over the following 60 days, I’ll be specializing in: Listening and Studying. I’ll meet with people and groups throughout the corporate to know what you’re pleased with, what’s getting in the way in which, and the place you see probably the most potential.  I may also meet with our shoppers to know their ambitions for us and the way we will help speed up.  Clarifying Our Ambition. Collectively, we’ll outline what “the following chapter” actually means for our work, our shoppers, our tradition, and our craft. Persevering with the Momentum. I’ll work with the management crew to establish just a few early strikes we will make (large or small) that sign our path and proceed to construct vitality. Alongside the way in which, I’ll hold you apprised of learnings and progress, in addition to letting you understand how one can assist.Thanks for all the pieces you convey to AKQA every day.With pleasure, gratitude, and respect,Baiju