Publicis London has promoted longtime leader Trent Patterson to CEO, marking a new chapter for the agency following a strong year of international growth and award-winning work. Patterson will steer client partnerships, new business and global creativity efforts, including the upcoming “World Class” research initiative, as Publicis London expands its worldwide influence.
Publicis London has marked a pivotal moment in its evolution with the promotion of Trent Patterson to Chief Executive Officer, elevating a leader who has spent more than a decade shaping the agency’s culture, client success and creative ambitions. The announcement comes during a period of rising momentum for the agency, as it reinforces its commitment to global creativity and strengthens its presence in the international advertising landscape.
Patterson’s promotion reflects the culmination of a consistent upward journey within Publicis London, which he joined in 2010. Over the past 15 years, he has moved through key leadership roles—from head of account management to managing director, and more recently chief operating officer—each step cementing his influence in driving the agency’s operational excellence and strategic delivery. His appointment signals both continuity and a renewed push for innovation as Publicis London continues to anchor itself as a creative force across markets.
As COO, Patterson reported directly to Publicis Groupe UK’s creative practice CEO Charlie Rudd, overseeing the day-to-day machinery of the business, managing high-value client relationships and ensuring that creativity remained central to the agency’s problem-solving. That remit now broadens with his transition into the chief executive role, where he will steer the agency’s management team, guide the new business agenda, and maintain oversight of a marquee portfolio of clients that includes Essity, Electrolux, Marriott, Fosters and Renault.
His leadership will continue to be complemented by CCO Noel Bunting, with whom he has collaborated closely on Publicis London’s creative resurgence. The pair is now gearing up to put an even sharper spotlight on global creativity—particularly as the agency prepares for the early-2026 launch of “World Class,” a new research initiative designed to examine the effectiveness of international campaigns and offer insights into creativity that drives impact across borders. The project underscores a consistent message from Publicis London: big ideas must resonate universally while being rooted in diverse perspectives.
The elevation comes at a time when the agency has been performing strongly on multiple fronts. Since unveiling its refined positioning in 2024—built around the pursuit and celebration of international creativity—Publicis London has experienced tangible gains. In 2025 alone, it has added nine new clients to its business, strengthening both its industry credibility and commercial footing. The creative department has also delivered one of its most decorated periods in recent years, securing more than 20 creative and effectiveness awards across prestigious global stages including Cannes Lions and the Effies. These accolades align with the agency’s ambition to make work that not only captivates audiences creatively but also drives meaningful results.
Rudd praised Patterson’s steady leadership and his role in sustaining the agency’s upward trajectory. “Trent’s elevation is well deserved and recognises the central role he has played in all the success that Publicis London has celebrated in the past 12 months,” he said. “He is a calm and considerate leader who has fostered an environment where talent and creativity can thrive.” The endorsement highlights a defining characteristic of Patterson’s managerial style—his ability to approach leadership with empathy, creating space for creative innovation while maintaining operational precision.
That balance will be increasingly valuable as Publicis navigates an evolving advertising market shaped by global client needs, rapidly shifting consumer behaviour and the rise of technology-driven storytelling. Publicis London’s positioning places it at the intersection of creativity and cultural fluency, a space Patterson understands intimately. An Australian expatriate building his career in London, he has advocated for diversity of perspective as a powerful driver of creative relevance.
His professional journey before joining the agency also helped shape that global viewpoint. Prior to Publicis London, he spent six years at JWT London and worked at creative agencies in Australia, deepening his understanding of different market dynamics and brand storytelling approaches. The international exposure is now central to his leadership philosophy—and to the message Publicis wants to send to its clients around the world.
For Patterson, the personal and professional significance of stepping into the CEO role is not lost. Reflecting on the milestone, he acknowledged the unique privilege of leading a company far from where he began his career. “We’re all about the power of international creativity and, as an expat myself, I feel lucky to have found a home 9,000 miles from home in this brilliant, globally diverse agency,” he said. “I’m buzzing about what we’ve achieved in the last 12 months and to lead our talented team and client partners into our exciting next chapter is an immense privilege.” His words underline not only confidence but also a deep sense of gratitude.
The agency’s renewed direction is also a statement about the future of brand marketing itself. In an era where campaigns must transcend geographic borders to influence global culture, Publicis London is positioning itself as a creative hub capable of inspiring change at scale. “Creativity that moves the world”—the idea driving the agency’s philosophy—suggests work that is culturally resonant, emotionally compelling and commercially transformative. Patterson’s appointment reinforces this mission, signalling that leadership, strategy and creative standards will all be held to a global benchmark.
Under his guidance, Publicis London is expected to further expand its client footprint and strengthen its role across the broader Publicis Groupe network. With collaboration increasingly essential in global marketing initiatives, the agency is poised to tap into cross-market opportunities and contribute to network-wide innovations. Strategy, research and talent development are areas likely to receive heightened focus, especially as brands demand deeper insights into international consumer engagement.
There is also a strong people-centric thread running through Patterson’s vision. From nurturing homegrown talent to attracting diverse perspectives from around the world, he has consistently championed an environment where creative careers can thrive. As agencies everywhere grapple with the challenge of drawing and retaining top talent, his leadership approach may prove to be the engine behind Publicis London’s sustained growth.
Looking ahead, the agency’s success will hinge on maintaining momentum while adapting to a complex advertising ecosystem. With Patterson now at the helm, Publicis London appears well placed to scale its recent achievements into a new era of global-first creativity. His appointment is not simply an internal transition—it is a signal that the agency is ready to double down on its belief that creativity can both move people emotionally and move businesses forward.
As Publicis London steps into this next phase of ambition and expansion, its new CEO embodies the journey the agency wants to reflect to the world: international in outlook, collaborative in nature, and relentlessly driven by ideas powerful enough to cross borders and transform brands.ing a strong year of international growth and award-winning work. Patterson will steer client partnerships, new business and global creativity efforts, including the upcoming “World Class” research initiative, as Publicis London expands its worldwide influence.
