John J. Dooner Jr., longtime McCann leader and former Interpublic Group CEO, died Dec. 31, 2025, at 77. A visionary architect of McCann Worldgroup, he shaped modern global agency networks and left a lasting legacy across advertising, nonprofit leadership, and industry institutions.
Longtime advertising executive John J. Dooner Jr., a defining figure in the modern global agency business and a leader who helped shape the structure of multinational advertising networks, died of heart failure on Dec. 31, 2025, in Jupiter, Florida. He was 77.
Born in 1948 in New Rochelle, New York, Dooner built a career that spanned more than four decades and coincided with some of the most consequential changes in the advertising industry—from the rise of global brands and integrated marketing services to the consolidation of agency holding companies. He was best known for his deep association with McCann, where he spent the majority of his professional life and where his leadership left a lasting institutional and cultural imprint.
Dooner joined McCann in 1984 after working at Grey Advertising, arriving at a moment when agencies were beginning to expand aggressively beyond their domestic roots. His ascent within McCann was steady and decisive, reflecting both managerial skill and a strategic understanding of how creative, media, and client relationships could be scaled globally. In 1992, he was named president and chief executive officer of McCann Erickson, a role he would hold until 2000.
As CEO, Dooner guided McCann through a period of rapid international expansion and organisational change. He was known for balancing the demands of large, multinational clients with a respect for local market expertise, a philosophy that helped McCann strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading agency brands. Colleagues often described him as a leader who combined discipline with optimism, and who believed that advertising, at its best, could be both commercially effective and culturally resonant.
One of Dooner’s most enduring contributions came in 1997, when he formalised McCann Worldgroup as a global network. At a time when agencies were increasingly being asked to deliver integrated solutions across disciplines, he brought together McCann, MRM, Momentum Worldwide, McCann Health, and Craft Worldwide under a single organisational umbrella. The move anticipated the industry’s shift toward collaboration across creative, digital, experiential, health, and production services, and it offered clients a more cohesive global platform. Decades later, many industry leaders would point to the McCann Worldgroup model as a template for how large agency networks could operate without losing their individual identities.
The McCann Worldgroup name itself was sunsetted in late 2025 following Omnicom’s acquisition of Interpublic Group in November of that year, but the structure and philosophy behind it continue to influence how agency networks are designed and managed.
In 2000, Dooner briefly stepped away from McCann to take on one of the most demanding roles in the business, serving as chairman and chief executive officer of Interpublic Group. His tenure at IPG lasted until 2003 and was marked by significant portfolio expansion. During this period, he led the acquisition of True North, a move that brought agencies such as FCB Global and Deutsch into the IPG network. The acquisitions strengthened IPG’s competitive position and broadened its creative and strategic capabilities at a time of intense rivalry among holding companies.
After three years at IPG, Dooner returned to McCann Worldgroup in 2003, this time as chairman. He would hold that role until 2011, providing continuity and guidance as the organisation navigated the early years of digital transformation and shifting client expectations. Even after stepping down, he remained closely connected to the company as Chairman Emeritus, serving as an adviser and a symbol of the organisation’s heritage.
Daryl Lee, chairman of McCann, said Dooner “found his home at McCann and led it into the 20th century with a visionary drive.” Lee added that Dooner’s creation of McCann Worldgroup “set the template for the industry’s continued evolution to this day,” a reflection of how deeply his ideas became embedded in the business.
Beyond his corporate roles, Dooner was a prominent figure in the broader advertising and communications community. He served as chairman of the Ad Council, where he helped guide public service campaigns on issues ranging from health to social responsibility. He was also vice chairman of the 4A’s, the American Association of Advertising Agencies, contributing to industry advocacy, professional standards, and dialogue during a period of rapid change.
His contributions were formally recognised in 2019, when he was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame. The honour placed him among a select group of leaders whose influence extended beyond individual agencies to the shape and direction of the industry itself.
Dooner also devoted time and energy to nonprofit and educational causes. He served on the boards of organisations including United Way Worldwide and St. Thomas University, his alma mater. Those who worked with him in these capacities recalled a leader who believed strongly in mentorship, education, and the responsibility of business leaders to contribute to the communities in which they operate.
Despite his prominence, Dooner was often described as approachable and steady rather than flamboyant. He favoured long-term thinking over short-term gains and was known for placing trust in his teams. Former colleagues have noted that he had a particular talent for identifying and nurturing leadership, a quality that helped McCann and its affiliated agencies develop strong internal pipelines of talent across regions.
In his personal life, Dooner was closely devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Stewart Dooner; his daughter, Jaclyn Simón Ramirez; and his grandson, León. Friends and associates said that even at the height of his career, he spoke most proudly of his family and took care to maintain a sense of balance between professional ambition and personal commitments.
John J. Dooner Jr.’s death marks the passing of a generation of advertising leaders who helped build the modern global agency system. His career traced the arc of an industry that grew from largely national operations into complex international networks, and his influence can still be seen in how agencies organise themselves to serve global clients. For those who worked with him, he will be remembered not only for the institutions he helped shape, but also for the clarity of his vision and the steadiness of his leadership during times of profound change.
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