April, 2026.- Ogilvy Group has appointed Carol Reed as its first-ever global chief innovation officer, a newly created role reporting directly to CEO Laurent Ezekiel. The move places innovation at the heart of the agency’s global leadership structure.
Reed will spearhead the development of new technology-driven products and services, expand social and influencer practices, and drive strategic partnerships and acquisitions across the Ogilvy network. Her mission is to transform the agency’s technological capabilities.
The appointment reflects Ogilvy’s response to shifting consumer behavior, cultural change, and accelerating advances in artificial intelligence, according to Reed’s comments to Adweek. The agency is adapting to a constantly evolving environment.
Reed emphasized the urgency of the moment, noting that “there’s just so much change happening between consumer behavior shifting, and culture changing constantly” while technology accelerates with AI. The speed of transformation demands a structural response.
The move signals Ogilvy’s ambition to integrate creativity with cutting-edge technology, competing not only with traditional rivals but also with technology firms and consultancies encroaching on the marketing space. The agency is expanding its battlefield.
Reed will guide the network in harnessing artificial intelligence responsibly and effectively, balancing technological adoption with creative integrity across content creation, consumer engagement, and data analysis. Ethics and creativity go hand in hand.
The role is a first for Ogilvy and may set a precedent across the industry, with Reed’s success measured by how effectively she translates technological advances into meaningful creative outcomes for global audiences. Innovation is no longer a department but a central strategic function.
