WPP has elevated Elav Horwitz as its first chief innovation officer, a new role created to solidify its leadership in applied AI and deliver groundbreaking technology-driven solutions for clients. 

Horwitz will be responsible for connecting WPP’s partners with the company’s unparalleled creative and strategic talent. Her remit will focus on fostering a culture of collaboration and agile innovation to drive applied AI and client transformation, and to redefine how clients engage with commerce, create compelling content and shape culture.

In her new role, she will continue to report to Stephan Pretorius, chief technology officer, WPP.

She was previously serving as EVP, global head of strategic partnerships and AI solutions.

Horwitz serves as an advisor to Spotify and Meta Creative Councils, and she’s a founding member of the leadership community Chief. 

Horwitz's appointment underscores WPP's continued investment in technology and data and follows a series of recent hires to bolster WPP's innovation capabilities,  including Daniel Barak as WPP's first global creative and innovation lead, Sarah Salter as VP - global partnerships and AI innovation and Mathieu Albrand as director of AI strategy and innovation.

The expanded team will continue to work closely with Horwitz and Pretorius to drive  WPP's innovation agenda forward. 

Cindy Rose, CEO, WPP, said, “As we rewrite the marketing playbook for the AI era, we’re thrilled to have Elav lead our innovation agenda. This appointment underscores our investment to  embed innovation into the core of everything we do, ensuring our clients benefit from the most  advanced and effective solutions." 

Pretorius added, “Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at WPP, and Elav’s promotion to chief innovation officer, together with the world-class team she is assembling, underscores our commitment to actively shape the future of our industry. She will be instrumental in ensuring our company remains at the centre of technology-driven innovation, translating the power of applied AI into concrete solutions that drive material  business impact for our clients.” 

Horwitz said, “Never before have innovation and agility been more critical than in our AI era. We must show our teams, clients and the  entire industry what's possible by uniting the best talents, capabilities, partners and a forward-thinking mindset, enabling us to deliver results in a matter of hours and make the future both  tangible and democratised.”