Alan Morrissey Promoted to VP, Data Strategy, UK at WPP Media

Alan Morrissey has been promoted to Vice President, Data Strategy, UK at WPP Media, taking on an expanded leadership role focused on data strategy within the media organization.

The promotion comes as data continues to play a central role in how advertisers plan, activate, measure, and optimize media. With marketers working across increasingly fragmented channels, the ability to connect audience insights, media data, measurement, and business objectives has become an important part of modern media strategy.

In his new role, Morrissey will focus on data strategy in the UK, operating within a media environment where first-party data, analytics, artificial intelligence, and privacy considerations are reshaping how brands approach audiences.

Also Read: Emily C. Promoted to Account Manager at WPP Media

The growing use of AI is also changing data strategy. Media organizations are exploring AI for audience analysis, forecasting, campaign optimization, reporting, and decision-making. At the same time, marketers continue to address questions around data quality, governance, privacy, and the appropriate use of automated insights.

Data strategy is becoming particularly important as advertisers manage campaigns across digital, social, programmatic, connected TV, commerce media, and other channels. Bringing data from these different environments together can help marketing teams develop a more consistent understanding of audiences and campaign performance.

For media agencies, this also means that data leadership increasingly sits at the intersection of technology, analytics, media planning, and client strategy. Data professionals are expected not only to manage information but also to translate it into insights that can support marketing decisions.

Morrissey’s promotion reflects this broader evolution in media organizations, where data has moved from a supporting function toward a more strategic role in planning and decision-making.

The appointment also comes as advertisers place greater emphasis on measurement and effectiveness. With marketing budgets under continued scrutiny, brands are increasingly looking for clearer connections between media activity, audience engagement, and business outcomes.

For the wider MarTech and AdTech ecosystem, Morrissey’s expanded role highlights the growing importance of data strategy as media becomes more technology-driven and AI-enabled.