VP, Branded Entertainment

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. 

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

VP, Branded Entertainment

Role Summary and Impact

WPP Media is the UK’s biggest media agency network. More clients choose to work with us than anyone else in the UK. This success is delivered via a clear, client centric vision – to be the most trusted growth partner for brands.

WPP Media: Sports & Entertainment is our dedicated practice focused on the development of brand partnerships, sponsorships, branded entertainment and socially driven content solutions for brands. We work with the biggest and most impactful brands, platforms, IP, rights holders, talent and creators to drive our work.

We passionately believe that Sports and Entertainment make modern culture. Across sport, music, fashion, gaming and entertainment, they fuel the communities and fandoms that drive audiences and power brand differentiation. The vision of our 100+ dedicated craft experts is simple – We make brands epic in culture.  

Overview

The VP of Branded Entertainment will lead the development and delivery of world-class branded entertainment solutions across WPP’s media agency brands. This role is at the intersection of media, culture, and storytelling — ensuring our brands are connected to the biggest platforms, talent, and IP shaping today’s entertainment landscape.

You will help shape and oversee best practice for BE responses to client briefs, from linear and streaming AFPs to social-first series and talent-led partnerships. Working across WPP agencies and with external partners, you’ll build creative, culturally resonant, and commercially robust entertainment properties that deliver measurable brand and audience impact.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Strategy

• Define and drive the WPP MS&E Branded Entertainment proposition across all agencies and clients.
• Act as the senior strategic lead on all BE responses — ensuring creative excellence, commercial rigour, and cultural relevance.
• Identify key growth areas in branded entertainment (streaming, creator economy, sport, gaming, etc.) and translate these into actionable opportunities for clients.

1. Creative & Commercial Development

• Lead the ideation and packaging of entertainment formats — from long-form AFPs and documentary storytelling to digital-first and influencer-led series.
• Connect brands with major entertainment ecosystems: broadcasters, streamers, studios, publishers, and production partners.
• Oversee commercial negotiations and deal structures that align brand investment with IP value and audience reach.

1. Partnership & Platform Relationships

• Build and maintain senior relationships with entertainment platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Sky, YouTube, TikTok, Meta, Spotify, etc.) and production partners.
• Leverage WPP’s scale to unlock access to talent, rights holders, and premium content opportunities.
• Collaborate with WPP’s talent and influencer teams to integrate celebrity and creator partnerships into BE strategies.

1. Cross-Agency Integration

• Work closely with media and creative agency leads (EssenceMediacom, Wavemaker, Mindshare, T&P etc.) to embed BE thinking into client strategies.
• Champion the role of entertainment as a strategic lever within broader media and partnership ecosystems.
• Create frameworks, toolkits, and best practices that elevate BE standards across the WPP network.

1. Measurement & Impact

• Define and implement measurement frameworks that demonstrate cultural impact, audience engagement, and business outcomes.
• Collaborate with data and insight teams to evidence the effectiveness of branded entertainment in driving brand growth and cultural relevance.

Experience & Skills

• Experience in branded entertainment, content partnerships, or media-led storytelling.
• Proven track record in developing and producing entertainment properties with major brands, platforms, or broadcasters.
• Strong creative instincts and commercial acumen — able to balance storytelling ambition with client business goals.
• Deep understanding of the entertainment ecosystem — from linear and streaming platforms to social video and creator-led content.
• Confident leading senior client conversations and representing WPP in market.
• Networked across entertainment, production, and talent industries.
• Excellent communicator and collaborator across creative, media, and commercial teams.

What Success Looks Like

• WPP brands are leading the industry in creating entertainment that audiences choose to spend time with.
• Increased visibility of WPP S&E in the entertainment industry through award-winning, high-impact work.
• Strong partnerships with leading entertainment platforms and producers.
• Consistent pipeline of breakthrough branded entertainment projects driving cultural and business results.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. 

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days. 

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. 

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide. 

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

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Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide.