James Murphy

James Murphy is a prominent figure in the UK advertising industry. Here are some key details about him:

Career Highlights

• Co-founder and CEO of New Commercial Arts (NCA), an independent agency launched in 2020.14
• Recently appointed as UK group CEO of Ogilvy after WPP acquired NCA in September 2024.13
• Previously co-founded and led Adam & Eve, which was sold to Omnicom's DDB in 2012 and became adam&eveDDB.23
• Started his career as a graduate trainee at Ogilvy.1

New Commercial Arts

• Founded NCA in May 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown.4
• NCA was created with a dual focus on creative and customer experience.1
• The agency quickly won major clients including Nationwide Building Society, Sainsbury's, and Vodafone.1
• NCA had about 90 staff and £12.7m in fee income by 2023.3

Leadership Style and Philosophy

• Known for his strategic thinking and ability to build successful agencies.
• Emphasizes getting closer to clients and focusing on creative work rather than management.1
• Believes in the importance of advertising and is committed to advancing the industry.2

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, WPP acquired NCA and appointed Murphy as UK group CEO of Ogilvy.13
• The acquisition is seen as a move to drive momentum and "shake things up" at Ogilvy.1

James Murphy is widely respected in the advertising industry for his track record of building successful agencies and delivering innovative campaigns for major brands.