Brian Lesser
Global Chief Executive Officer
GroupM
Brian Lesser is the Global CEO of GroupM, the world's leading media investment company. This appointment marks Lesser's return to GroupM and WPP, where he previously held senior leadership roles. His expertise in media, technology, marketing, and data-driven advertising makes him uniquely qualified to lead GroupM into its next phase of growth.
Most recently, Lesser served as the Chairman and CEO of InfoSum, a company specializing in data collaboration and privacy-enhancing technologies. His work led the company to more than 300% growth —focused on developing innovative solutions for secure data sharing and analysis for major global companies.
In 2017, AT&T recruited Lesser to lead its advertising and analytics division, which would become Xandr. As the founding CEO of Xandr, Lesser played a pivotal role in AT&T's ambitious plan to revolutionize the advertising industry. He was tasked with creating a premium advertising marketplace leveraging AT&T's vast data resources and distribution networks. Under his leadership, Xandr quickly became a significant player in advanced advertising, developing innovative solutions for advertisers and publishers.
During Lesser's original stint at GroupM, he served as CEO of GroupM North America, overseeing strategy and operations for the company and its agencies. In this role, he was responsible for maximizing the value of advertising for many of the world's largest companies using innovative tools and practices.
Before this, Lesser was the founding global CEO of Xaxis. Under his leadership, Xaxis grew to more than a billion in revenue and became a pioneer in the programmatic advertising industry. Lesser expanded Xaxis to more than 40 offices, bringing performance-based advertising worldwide.
He also served as vice president of Product Management at 24/7 Media, a global media and technology firm acquired by WPP in 2007.
Lesser has been recognized for his role in shifting the industry to more data and technology-driven models. He was named a "TV Revolutionary" by Digiday Magazine as well as AdWeek's "Executive of the Year" and Power 100. Other honors include AdExchanger's inaugural "Leadership in Advertising" award; Crain 100, a list of the top disrupters and change-makers in business; and "Five Advertising Executives to Watch" by the Wall Street Journal.
He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University. Lesser lives in New Jersey with his family.
Most recently, Lesser served as the Chairman and CEO of InfoSum, a company specializing in data collaboration and privacy-enhancing technologies. His work led the company to more than 300% growth —focused on developing innovative solutions for secure data sharing and analysis for major global companies.
In 2017, AT&T recruited Lesser to lead its advertising and analytics division, which would become Xandr. As the founding CEO of Xandr, Lesser played a pivotal role in AT&T's ambitious plan to revolutionize the advertising industry. He was tasked with creating a premium advertising marketplace leveraging AT&T's vast data resources and distribution networks. Under his leadership, Xandr quickly became a significant player in advanced advertising, developing innovative solutions for advertisers and publishers.
During Lesser's original stint at GroupM, he served as CEO of GroupM North America, overseeing strategy and operations for the company and its agencies. In this role, he was responsible for maximizing the value of advertising for many of the world's largest companies using innovative tools and practices.
Before this, Lesser was the founding global CEO of Xaxis. Under his leadership, Xaxis grew to more than a billion in revenue and became a pioneer in the programmatic advertising industry. Lesser expanded Xaxis to more than 40 offices, bringing performance-based advertising worldwide.
He also served as vice president of Product Management at 24/7 Media, a global media and technology firm acquired by WPP in 2007.
Lesser has been recognized for his role in shifting the industry to more data and technology-driven models. He was named a "TV Revolutionary" by Digiday Magazine as well as AdWeek's "Executive of the Year" and Power 100. Other honors include AdExchanger's inaugural "Leadership in Advertising" award; Crain 100, a list of the top disrupters and change-makers in business; and "Five Advertising Executives to Watch" by the Wall Street Journal.
He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University. Lesser lives in New Jersey with his family.