We’re excited to announce that MMT has appointed former Valtech, Possible and Wunderman chief, Chris Daplyn, as its first Global Chief Executive.
Daplyn takes on the newly created role to help lead MMT’s global strategy, as it looks to further build out its UK and US operations, identify opportunities to invest in new markets and provide clients with effective digital solutions that offer speed, quality and return on investment.
He will also work closely with MMT’s parent company, MSQ, in enhancing its broader technological capabilities, working alongside the group’s Executive Director Ben Rudman.
Daplyn brings extensive experience to MMT, having overseen some of the UK’s most prominent digital agencies. He started his career with a decade at Blueprint Partners, before joining Lida, part of M&C Saatchi, to run the agency’s MINI UK, RAF and DHL accounts.
He joined Wunderman UK (now VML) in 2013 to lead CRM programmes and loyalty strategies for global clients, and was named Managing Director of the agency in 2015. During this time the business achieved significant growth, added new content, CX and data capabilities and won Campaign Agency of the Year.
Daplyn became UK Chief Executive of WPP’s POSSIBLE in 2017 which he then merged with another of WPPs pure play digital agencies, Mirum, in 2019 to create Mirum Europe, of which he became European CEO.
Most recently Daplyn was the Managing Director of North Western Europe for Valtech, the 6000-strong experience innovation company, running a business with clients that included easyJet, The Very Group, Ocado, Kingfisher Group, Specsavers, National Trust, Ericsson, the Department for Transport and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
A recognised leader in digital transformation, Daplyn will unlock new growth opportunities for MMT and help the business bring further technology expertise to MSQ, the creative, media and technology group that acquired MMT in 2020.
MMT already has offices in London, Uppingham, Leeds and New York, and works with clients including Vodafone, Elanco, Sovereign and Boots in the areas of Digital Experience, Product and Transformation.
He will take on the role in April and will work closely with the existing MMT management team, which includes Managing Director, Nick Bygate, and the wider team of Zannah Ingraham, Mark Starling, Nick Rudd & Krystina Feilden.
As part of Daplyn’s appointment, Ben Rudman, who co-founded MMT with James Cannings 25 years ago, will take a step back from the day-to-day running of the business, to focus on his overarching role as Executive Director of MSQ.
Rudman has been an Executive Director of MSQ since 2020, developing the group’s tech and innovation activity and supporting other agencies within MSQ. He will continue to work closely with Daplyn to support the future development of tech capabilities across MSQ.
Rudman says: “As MMT celebrates its 25th birthday, I’m exceptionally proud that we have a leader of Chris’ calibre to take the business on the next important stage of its journey. Since we launched MMT in 1999, change has been the only constant as we help our clients face new challenges and transformative ambitions. It’s vital that we evolve the business so that we continue to offer fresh and cutting-edge thinking and Chris brings even more of that to an already industry-leading management team. His unique experience of bringing the marketing and technology agendas together aligns strongly with what we are trying to do across MSQ, and I couldn’t be happier to have the chance to work alongside him.”
Daplyn says: “I have always had huge respect for MMT as a business and how it’s constantly been at the forefront of digital transformation. Ben and James have built a really exciting and forward-thinking offer that’s bursting with talent and boasts a truly enviable client list. With big ambitions to expand the business footprint and capabilities further, it’s an incredibly exciting time to take over the reins.”
