WPP's Gain Theory Brings In CEO North America

WPP's marketing foresight consultancy Gain Theory has appointed former Unilever exec Shawn O'Neal as CEO North America, based in New York.

Gain Theory was launched in 2015, bringing together the marcoms giant's analytics, technology solutions, and consumer research and insight capabilities.

As well as leading the North American business, O'Neal will work with the global leadership team to implement the unit's vision and strategy. He brings more than two decades of experience formulating and implementing growth strategies using advanced analytics, with previous roles including Unilever, McKinsey & Co and Pepsi.

At Unilever he was latterly VP of Global Data Marketing and Analytics, pioneering and leading the company's People Data Center program which served as a foundation for the use of data-driven insights in the business's decision making. Earlier he was the consumer giant's first Director of Analytics for the Americas, and worked in its sales organization after being recruited from McKinsey & Co. He holds an MBA from the Wharton Business School and an Economics degree from Princeton University.

Gain Theory Global CEO Manjiry Tamhane comments: 'Shawn is a highly experienced innovator in the field of advanced analytics and has proven experience in providing strategic consultancy advice to clients. He has the ability to connect the dots between business needs, data, and action for growth. I am very excited to have Shawn join Gain Theory'.

With more than 200 consultants, data scientists, modelers, analysts and martech specialists based in hubs in New York, London and Singapore, the practice is online at www.gaintheory.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.