WFA appoints Barclays’ marketer David Wheldon as president
The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) has appointed Barclays’ managing director of brand, reputation, citizenship and marketing, David Wheldon, as its president for the next two years.
Wheldon, who has led Barclays’ global marketing since 2012, is one of many appointments made by the WFA today (16 March) as it introduces new corporate members to its board including Americo Campos Silva, global media manager of Shell, and Jean Jacques Velkeniers, VP of marketing for AB InBev Europe.
Wheldon replaces Martin Riley, former CMO of Pernod Ricard, who has held the post since 2013, and says as part of the new role he will “showcase how brands can play a meaningful, sustainable and positive role in a society which is increasingly demanding more from them”.
“I am passionate about how brands can be a force for good,” Wheldon said. “I am very conscious that we live in a world where brands are constantly under scrutiny for their perceived roles in causing societal problems. WFA is uniquely placed to help make the case for brands and the marketer’s profession as a whole.”
Wheldon has previously held roles as global brand director at Vodafone and global director and VP of advertising at Coca-Cola. He has also held agency roles at Lowe Howard-Spink as managing director and as president of BBDO Europe.
“We’re delighted to have David as our new President,” added Stephan Loerke, managing director of the WFA. “He is one of the global industry’s most respected figures with enormous experience of working with some of the world’s biggest brands as well as agencies, something that is hugely beneficial as we start a deeper dialogue with advertising holding companies.”
