Stephan Pretorius

Stephan Pretorius is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at WPP, a position he has held since 2018.13 He is also an Advisor at Conscium, a role he took on in 2024.3 Pretorius has over 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising technology.4

Interestingly, Pretorius is a unique CTO as he never formally studied computer science, software development, or engineering. He gained his technology expertise through practical application, intuition, and osmosis.1 This unconventional background has given him a humanistic perspective on technology, emphasizing a "people first, not technology first" approach.1

Pretorius describes himself as a "skeptical technologist," meaning he's optimistic about the long-term value of technology but always questions its purpose and impact.1 He focuses on how technology can enhance people's lives and solve problems, rather than being interested in technology for its own sake.1

In his role at WPP, Pretorius is involved in developing and deploying AI solutions for clients globally.2 He is passionate about helping brands develop their ever-evolving technological capabilities.4 Pretorius is also active on social media, where he discusses topics such as AI, martech, adtech, creativity, innovation, and growth.5