Di Fei

Di Fei is a former senior digital and investment leader in China's AdTech and programmatic advertising landscape, best known for his tenure at GroupM China (now WPP Media China), the media investment arm of WPP. During his time there he was involved in overseeing digital capabilities and media investment strategy across GroupM's agency brands in China, working at the intersection of global programmatic standards and China's local platform ecosystem (Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance). In June 2026, a Chinese court sentenced Di Fei to life imprisonment following a March 2026 conviction on bribery and kickback charges tied to a scheme in which he and other GroupM China executives allegedly diverted approximately $176 million (1.2 billion yuan) in media-rebate income from clients between roughly 2015 and 2022. Two former colleagues, Yao Lan and Hong Xin, received lesser sentences (14.5 years and four years respectively) in the same case. Di Fei has appealed the verdict, arguing the funds were rebates handled on WPP's behalf rather than bribes; the appeal outcome is expected in late 2026 or early 2027. He is no longer affiliated with GroupM China / WPP Media, and his current activities are unknown.

Last updated Jul 12, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team