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Andrew Robertson

Thought Leader

Andrew Robertson is one of the most prominent figures in global advertising, having served as President and CEO of BBDO Worldwide for over two decades before taking on a broader leadership role within Omnicom Advertising Group. He is widely recognized for his philosophy that creativity is the most powerful force in business, and has consistently positioned BBDO as one of the world's most awarded and effective creative networks. Under his leadership, BBDO was named Cannes Lions Network of the Year multiple times and consistently ranked among the top global agency networks by effectiveness metrics. Robertson joined BBDO in 1993 and rose through the ranks across multiple geographies, including significant roles in the UK and US operations, before assuming the top global role. His tenure has been marked by a focus on integrating data and technology into creative processes without sacrificing the primacy of the creative idea — a stance that has made him a respected voice in debates about the future of advertising in the programmatic and AI era. He has been a vocal advocate for the value of brand-building alongside performance marketing. As part of Omnicom Advertising Group, Robertson operates at the intersection of traditional creative agency leadership and the modern AdTech ecosystem, overseeing how major global brands deploy media, data, and creative in an increasingly automated advertising landscape. His influence extends across client relationships with some of the world's largest advertisers, including PepsiCo, AT&T, and FedEx.

Last updated Sep 28, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment

Role
CEO, Omnicom Advertising Group
Company
Omnicom Advertising Group
Based
New York, New York, United States
Boards
1
Connections
4
Years in industry
35 years

Bio

Andrew Robertson is one of the most prominent figures in global advertising, having served as President and CEO of BBDO Worldwide for over two decades before taking on a broader leadership role within Omnicom Advertising Group. He is widely recognized for his philosophy that creativity is the most powerful force in business, and has consistently positioned BBDO as one of the world's most awarded and effective creative networks. Under his leadership, BBDO was named Cannes Lions Network of the Year multiple times and consistently ranked among the top global agency networks by effectiveness metrics. Robertson joined BBDO in 1993 and rose through the ranks across multiple geographies, including significant roles in the UK and US operations, before assuming the top global role. His tenure has been marked by a focus on integrating data and technology into creative processes without sacrificing the primacy of the creative idea — a stance that has made him a respected voice in debates about the future of advertising in the programmatic and AI era. He has been a vocal advocate for the value of brand-building alongside performance marketing. As part of Omnicom Advertising Group, Robertson operates at the intersection of traditional creative agency leadership and the modern AdTech ecosystem, overseeing how major global brands deploy media, data, and creative in an increasingly automated advertising landscape. His influence extends across client relationships with some of the world's largest advertisers, including PepsiCo, AT&T, and FedEx.

Career

Roles with a cited source. All linked roles are in the Roles tab.

Expertise & education

Expertise

Brand StrategyCreative EffectivenessGlobal Agency ManagementIntegrated Marketing CommunicationsData-Driven CreativeAdvertising Technology IntegrationClient-Agency RelationshipsPerformance Marketing vs. Brand Building

Education

  • MA, University of Edinburgh

Speaking topics

The business value of creativityThe future of the creative agency modelBalancing brand building and performance marketingAI and creativity in advertisingGlobal brand strategy

Recognition

Notable achievements

  • Led BBDO Worldwide to multiple Cannes Lions Network of the Year titles
  • Grew BBDO into one of the most consistently awarded creative networks globally over a 20+ year tenure as CEO
  • Appointed to lead Omnicom Advertising Group, overseeing the consolidation of Omnicom's creative agency brands
  • Guided BBDO through major industry transformations including the rise of digital, programmatic, and AI-driven advertising

Awards

Cannes Lions Network of the Year (multiple years, BBDO under his leadership)Ad Age Agency Network of the Year recognition

Publications

  • Various op-eds and interviews in Ad Age, Campaign, and The Drum on creativity and advertising effectiveness
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