Debbie Ellison

As one of a handful of female Global Chief Digital Officers in industry, Debbie is an inspirational leader with extensive experience of digital innovation in business.  As Global CDO, Debbie sits on VMLY&R Commerce global growth committee as well as the UK EXCO, leveraging her 20 years’ experience in technology and digital commerce, to pioneer transformational business change and growth through people-first, technology solutions.  As a business leader, Debbie has been integral in developing new commercial business models to help future-proof the business and its growth.

  In 2019, Debbie launched The Flagship, a physical space where clients can experience commerce technology solutions in an environment as close to real life as possible.  It showcases shopper and retail technology, using immersive 360 projection mapping to re-create over 140 retail environments to help test and trial solutions for clients and their customers. This year, she will relaunch The Flagship at Sea Containers House, the WPP campus.

  In 2020, Debbie launched Social Commerce+, an innovative new practice designed to help brands accelerate purchase and business growth by connecting commerce to social.  Key clients are TCL, Diageo and Microsoft Store. Most recently, Debbie has been identifying and activating new routes to market through ecommerce and new brand creation. She is currently developing social commerce and direct-to-consumer solutions for luxury brands such as Coco de Mer.

  A champion of women, Debbie sits on WPP’s Roots Steering Committee, Inclusion Council and VMLY&R’s global IE&D Council; She regularly speaks at schools through her connection with Inspiring the Future, and launched The Incubator, a 2-week programme, aimed at giving 16-18 year olds from diverse and low-socioeconomic backgrounds, work experience in the industry.