Nicola Mendelsohn
Head of Global Business Group at Meta
Mendelsohn is known for leading Meta's global advertiser relationships and being one of the most influential advocates for digital and AI-powered advertising transformation, bridging the gap between traditional creative agencies and platform-native ad technology.
Last updated May 30, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team
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.
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)
- BA, University of Leeds
- 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
- Regular contributor and interviewee in Campaign, The Guardian, Financial Times, and Wired on topics of digital advertising and women in tech