Simona Maggini succeeds Massimo Costa as WPP’s Country Manager for Italy

15 May 2020

Massimo Beduschi becomes Chairman of WPP in Italy

WPP today announces that Simona Maggini has been appointed as WPP’s Country Manager for Italy, succeeding Massimo Costa who has decided to step down from the role.

Simona, who will retain her existing role of CEO of VMLY&R in Italy, joined Y&R in 2003. She held a number of senior management and client leadership roles including General Manager of Y&R and VML Italy, before being promoted to CEO in 2015. Simona has worked with many local and international clients across industries and categories, from telecommunications and banking to food and automotive. She has also played a leading role in developing VMLY&R in Italy as a fully integrated brand experience agency combining outstanding creativity with expertise in digital marketing.

Massimo Beduschi has been promoted to Chairman of WPP in Italy, having been Chief Operating Officer since 2016. He will continue as Chairman and CEO of GroupM Italy. During his more than 20-year career with WPP he has held senior positions including Chief Financial Officer of Mindshare Italy, CFO of GroupM Italy, Executive Chairman of Mindshare Italy and COO of GroupM Italy.

Massimo Costa has held various senior roles over his 25 years with the company. Prior to his 2011 appointment as Country Manager, he was Chairman and CEO of Y&R Group in Italy, and between 2005 and 2010 he was Chairman and CEO of Y&R EMEA. Previous roles included Executive Vice-President of Y&R Europe & Middle East and EMEA Client Leader for Colgate Palmolive.

Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: “Massimo has made a very significant contribution to WPP during his long career with the company. Most recently, he has played a central role in building WPP in Italy, where we are the clear market leader. I would like to thank him for all he has done for WPP over many years.

“Simona is a highly accomplished and experienced leader with a track record of delivering results for clients across a range of different sectors. She has a deep understanding of the power of creativity and technology to build brands and meet the needs of modern marketing.

“Massimo Beduschi has been an important part of our leadership team in Italy for many years, both through his roles at GroupM and as Chief Operating Officer of WPP in Italy, and his promotion is well-deserved. I am delighted to have such a strong team at the helm of this very important market for WPP.”


Further information
Niken Wresniwiro, WPP 
+44 (0)20 7282 4600 / +44 (0)7876 005 489
[email protected]

Paola Maffezzoni, GroupM
+39 334 3880285
[email protected]

About WPP
WPP is a creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, clients and communities. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.