GroupM has announced the appointment of Alycia Mason as the new CEO of Wavemaker US, the global media agency network recognised by COMvergence as the leading entity for new business in 2023. Mason, who will assume her role at the end of July, will oversee US operations and client relationships. She will be part of the Global Wavemaker Leadership Team, as well as the GroupM North America Leadership Team, reporting directly to Sharb Farjami, CEO of GroupM North America.
“Alycia is a proven leader and change agent with an impressive track record of enhancing customer experiences and delivering impactful business results,” stated Farjami. “Her digital expertise, strategic mindset, brand savvy, and experience leading large, integrated teams make her the ideal leader to drive growth for Wavemaker US. Her forward-thinking leadership and brand-side perspective will be invaluable to our entire organisation.”
Mason brings a wealth of experience in marketing and digital transformation, having driven success for major brands. Most recently, she served as Field Vice President at McDonald’s, managing a multi-state organisation that supported 1,000 restaurant locations and generated billions in sales. Prior to this, she was McDonald’s first Chief US Customer Experience Officer, leading the company’s digital transformation across various platforms.
“In my career, I have always been passionate about leading brands and teams through transformative industry change, and this next chapter will be no exception,” Mason remarked. “I am drawn to Wavemaker’s inventive culture and am excited to lead the industry-leading talent who consistently push the boundaries of the modern media experience. Together, we will work alongside our advertisers to achieve stellar business results and meaningfully impact the audiences and businesses they care most about.”
Toby Jenner, Global CEO of Wavemaker and Global President of GroupM Clients, added, “Alycia is a trailblazer with extensive experience and deep understanding of the challenges global brands face today. She is uniquely poised to support our clients in making business-critical decisions at the intersection of revenue and technology to secure their future growth. I’m excited to work with her and look forward to seeing her lead Wavemaker in the US into its next successful chapter by positively provoking, innovative solutions for both our clients and our people.”
Prior to her tenure at McDonald’s, Mason spent nearly seven years at Publicis Groupe, where she served as EVP Managing Director and North America Publicis Groupe Lead for Kellogg’s. Her agency experience includes leadership roles at Starcom, Mindshare, and OMD, working with clients such as Kraft, BP, Castrol, JCPenney, and Dell.
Additionally, Mason is the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Candycopia, an innovative confectionery startup launched in 2021. She is also a board member of the Chicago Children’s Museum and was recognised by Ad Age as one of its Leading Women in 2022.
Mason will be based in both Chicago and New York.
