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Nicola Mendelsohn

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Nicola Mendelsohn is one of the most consequential figures in global digital advertising, serving as Head of the Global Business Group at Meta, where she leads the company's relationships with the world's largest advertisers, agencies, and marketing partners across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. In this role she has been a central architect of Meta's commercial advertising strategy, championing AI-driven ad products, performance measurement solutions, and the platform's evolution toward Reels and short-form video monetization. Her influence spans both the strategic and evangelical dimensions of AdTech — she is as comfortable on a Cannes Lions stage as she is in boardroom negotiations with global holding companies. Before joining Facebook in 2013, Mendelsohn built a distinguished career in the UK advertising industry spanning more than two decades. She served as Executive Chairman of Karmarama, one of the UK's most respected independent creative agencies, and held senior roles at Grey London and Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Her deep creative agency background gives her a rare dual fluency in both brand marketing and platform technology, making her an unusually effective bridge between Meta and the traditional advertising establishment. Beyond her commercial role, Mendelsohn has become a prominent voice on diversity and inclusion in technology and business leadership, and has spoken openly about her diagnosis with follicular lymphoma, using her platform to raise awareness about cancer research and the importance of resilience. She has been named among the most powerful women in UK business by multiple publications and holds a CBE for services to the creative industries. She is a frequent keynote speaker at major industry events including Cannes Lions, Advertising Week, and the World Economic Forum.

Last updated Jun 6, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team

Role
Head of Global Business Group
Company
Meta
Based
London, United Kingdom
Boards
3
Connections
2
Years in industry
30 years

Bio

Nicola Mendelsohn is one of the most consequential figures in global digital advertising, serving as Head of the Global Business Group at Meta, where she leads the company's relationships with the world's largest advertisers, agencies, and marketing partners across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. In this role she has been a central architect of Meta's commercial advertising strategy, championing AI-driven ad products, performance measurement solutions, and the platform's evolution toward Reels and short-form video monetization. Her influence spans both the strategic and evangelical dimensions of AdTech — she is as comfortable on a Cannes Lions stage as she is in boardroom negotiations with global holding companies. Before joining Facebook in 2013, Mendelsohn built a distinguished career in the UK advertising industry spanning more than two decades. She served as Executive Chairman of Karmarama, one of the UK's most respected independent creative agencies, and held senior roles at Grey London and Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Her deep creative agency background gives her a rare dual fluency in both brand marketing and platform technology, making her an unusually effective bridge between Meta and the traditional advertising establishment. Beyond her commercial role, Mendelsohn has become a prominent voice on diversity and inclusion in technology and business leadership, and has spoken openly about her diagnosis with follicular lymphoma, using her platform to raise awareness about cancer research and the importance of resilience. She has been named among the most powerful women in UK business by multiple publications and holds a CBE for services to the creative industries. She is a frequent keynote speaker at major industry events including Cannes Lions, Advertising Week, and the World Economic Forum.

Career

  • Vice President, Europe Middle East and Africa

    Facebook (Meta) · 2013-2021

  • Executive Chairman

    Karmarama · 2008-2013

  • Senior Partner

    Grey London · 2003-2008

  • Board Account Director

    Bartle Bogle Hegarty · 1990s-2003

Board memberships

Diageo (Non-Executive Director)BFC (British Fashion Council)Founders Forum

Advisory roles

UK Government Creative Industries Council

Expertise & education

Expertise

Social Media AdvertisingAI-Driven Ad ProductsDigital Advertising StrategyAdvertiser and Agency PartnershipsBrand MarketingVideo and Reels MonetizationAdvertising MeasurementDigital Transformation

Education

  • BA, University of Leeds

Speaking topics

The future of AI in advertisingDigital transformation for brands and agenciesDiversity and inclusion in technology and businessSocial commerce and the creator economyResilience and leadershipThe evolving role of social media in the marketing mix

Recognition

Notable achievements

  • Led Meta's Global Business Group overseeing billions in annual advertising revenue across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger
  • Appointed CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the creative industries
  • Grew Facebook's EMEA advertising business significantly during her tenure as VP EMEA from 2013 onward
  • Publicly advocated for cancer awareness after her follicular lymphoma diagnosis, raising the profile of blood cancer research

Awards

CBE for services to the creative industriesNamed one of the most powerful women in UK business by Fortune and other publicationsCampaign magazine's Most Influential Women in AdvertisingVeuve Clicquot Business Woman Award nominee

Publications

  • Regular contributor and interviewee in Campaign, The Guardian, Financial Times, and Wired on topics of digital advertising and women in tech
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