Laura Maness has been appointed global CEO of Grey, joining the agency on September 1. Maness will build on Grey’s international capabilities and AKQA Group expertise while bringing people together from across the network to prioritize employee experience and breakthrough, high-performance work for clients. She will shape Grey’s global strategy, playing a pivotal role in talent attraction and retention through a values-led culture, emphasizing diversity, equity and inclusion while driving sustainable, responsible growth and impact worldwide.

Maness’ career in advertising, integrated communications and digital spans more than 25 years. Before being appointed global CEO of Grey, Maness served as CEO of Havas Group’s North American flagship agency, Havas New York, driving a culture of purposeful growth for some of the world’s most recognized companies. She also oversaw several specialist practices, including a culture-first creator studio (Annex88) and a data-driven customer engagement agency (Havas CX) in the U.S. Before these responsibilities, Maness served as U.S. chief growth officer for Havas Worldwide North America and managing director of Havas Chicago. Prior to joining Havas, Maness was head of growth for FCB in San Francisco.
 
Maness said, “As only the sixth CEO in 105 years, the opportunity to renew, galvanize and grow a legendary and celebrated agency like Grey--combined with the unmatched caliber of talent from across the globe--is incredibly meaningful. I look forward to building on the strong foundation of Grey’s storytelling prowess and famously effective work by fueling a culture of creativity, innovation, and continuous impact.” 

Ajaz Ahmed, AKQA Group CEO commented, “Laura is entrepreneurial, dynamic and energetic. She unites by building community--not hierarchy--inspiring with an enlightened leadership approach and a proven track record. With a focus on innovation and as a champion of multidisciplinary solutions for clients, Laura is the ideal CEO to help shape Grey’s strategic vision and path ahead. I am looking forward to working in partnership with Laura and the team at Grey.”
 
Mark Read, CEO of parent WPP, said: “Laura believes in the power of what we do to make a difference in the world, and has an impressive track record of delivering growth for agencies, their people and their clients. I’m delighted she’s joining AKQA Group as global CEO of Grey. Grey is known for outstanding creativity that produces outstanding results, and I’m sure that reputation will only grow under Laura’s leadership.”
 
Maness’ numerous accolades include being named a Working Mother of the Year and Changing the Game Quantum Leap winner by She Runs It; and most recently, being celebrated as Act Responsible’s Ad Industry Champion of Good at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity