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Andrew Shebbeare
Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Counteract
Pioneering the data-driven programmatic media agency model through Essence Global and helping establish the agency trading desk as a standard industry structure for digital media buying.
OperatorLondon, United Kingdom20+ years in industry
Last updated May 30, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team
Bio
Andrew Shebbeare is co-founder and Managing Partner of Counteract, a carbon-removal investment firm. He earlier co-founded the media agency Essence (acquired by WPP in 2015), where he was Chief Product Officer.
Previous Roles
Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer
Essence (prior)
Expertise
Programmatic AdvertisingAgency Trading DesksData-Driven Media BuyingDigital Media StrategyPerformance MarketingAd TechnologyMedia Agency OperationsTransparency in Digital Advertising
Education
- University of Oxford (reported; specific degree unconfirmed)
Notable Achievements
- Co-founded Essence Global in 2005, growing it into one of the world's leading digital-first media agencies
- Secured Google as Essence's founding client, establishing a landmark agency-client relationship in programmatic advertising
- Led Essence through its acquisition by GroupM (WPP) in 2015, one of the most significant deals in programmatic agency history
- Pioneered the agency trading desk model that became widely adopted across the media industry
Awards
Essence named to various 'best places to work' and industry recognition lists under his leadership
Speaking Topics
Programmatic advertising and the future of media buyingData-driven agency modelsTransparency and accountability in digital advertisingThe evolution of agency trading desks
Board Memberships
Essence Global