Ellie Bamford

Ellie Bamford is a senior agency strategist recognized for her ability to bridge creative ambition with rigorous, data-informed media thinking — a combination that remains rare in an industry that frequently siloes these capabilities. She joined VML in 2023 as Chief Strategy Officer, North America (with some 2026 reporting referencing a global remit), bringing with her a practitioner's perspective shaped by years of working across global markets and brand categories. At VML, she is positioned to shape how one of the world's largest creative companies integrates strategy, media, and technology into a coherent offering for clients navigating an increasingly fragmented landscape. Prior to VML, Bamford served as Global Head of Media & Connections at R/GA, where she was instrumental in elevating media strategy from a downstream execution function to a core driver of brand experience and business outcomes. Her work at R/GA sat at the intersection of connections planning, audience intelligence, and storytelling, helping global clients operate effectively across paid, owned, and earned environments. She was a vocal advocate for the principle that media strategy must be inseparable from brand and creative strategy in the modern marketing mix. A recognized speaker and industry commentator, Bamford contributes to ongoing conversations about the future of media agencies, the role of data in creative decision-making, and how brands can build meaningful connections in an attention-scarce environment. Her influence is that of a senior operator with genuine thought-leadership credibility — someone whose perspectives on integrated strategy carry weight precisely because they are grounded in hands-on, cross-market client work.

Last updated Jul 10, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment · Connections updated Jul 13, 2026