Publicis•Poke Hires Amanda Farmer as First Chief Client Officer

Amanda joins from WPP’s ‘The Pharm’

WPP’s Amanda Farmer moves to Publicis•Poke to complete the agency’s leadership team and lead its Commerce Practice.

As chief client officer, Amanda will look to further develop the agency’s ‘Sharp Commercial Creativity’ proposition for existing and new clients, with a particular focus on growing the Commerce specialism. Her appointment follows significant momentum for the agency this year, and comes off the back of a series of recent new business wins including Standard Chartered.

Amanda joins from WPP‘s ‘The Pharm’, the Global Walgreens Boots Alliance integrated team, where she held the role of chief client officer.

John Hadfield, CEO of Publicis•Poke, said, “Everyone that knows Amanda, knows that she is a brilliant integrated practitioner and a wonderful force for change. There is no better person to help us build an ever more progressive creative business.”

Amanda Farmer said, “I’m excited by John’s vision for the agency and the power of commercial creativity to solve complex marketing problems. I can’t wait to join the team and partner with our fantastic clients and stellar talent to create work that truly impacts business.”

Amanda is a transformational business leader with over 20 years of experience in driving growth through digital innovation and data-driven customer experience. She has worked with clients including Nestlé, Diageo, Microsoft, Wendy’s, Colgate, Heineken and Cadbury at some of the UK’s leading digital, integrated and creative agencies. Prior to her role at WPP, Amanda spent five years at VMLY&R London. She joined VML as client services director and was promoted shortly after to UK Managing Director. After the 2019 merger, Amanda became the UK managing director of the newly created brand and customer experience agency VMLY&R. She also spent time at Isobar, Work Club, Dare, and Elvis.

Amanda is a member of the IPA Council and co-chairs the IPA Client Relationship Group. From 2020-2022 she was the Technology Lead of WACL, where she continues to play an active role as a WACL member. A champion of DE&I, Farmer was awarded the Bloom Everyday Action Award which celebrates leaders who champion gender equality.

Amanda Farmer will start in December and report to CEO John Hadfield. Her appointment is one of several senior hires for the agency this year. Alison Hoad joined the agency as chief strategy officer in April and Frederico Roberto came on board as Commerce Creative Director in March. The agency further bolstered its commerce credentials this summer with the hire of Claire Meadows as Head of Commerce Strategy, as well as bringing onboard two senior creative commerce teams: Ed Shore and Tristan Marshall and Júlia Rebouças and Louise Signard. Claire Meadows moved to Publicis•Poke from VCCP, where she spent over five years and held the role of Head of Engagement Strategy and Customer Experience.

Amanda Farmer reports to Hadfield and will work alongside CSO Alison Hoad, ECD Dave Monk and managing director Trent Patterson.