JWT

One of the world's oldest and most storied full-service advertising agencies, historically a top-tier global creative network under WPP before being rebranded as Wunderman Thompson in 2018.

J. Walter Thompson (JWT) was founded in 1864 and grew to become one of the most iconic and globally recognized advertising agencies in history. For over 150 years, JWT was synonymous with creative excellence, producing landmark campaigns for some of the world's most recognized brands including Ford, Unilever, Nestlé, and Kellogg's. The agency pioneered many foundational advertising practices, including the use of consumer research, brand planning, and integrated marketing communications across print, broadcast, and eventually digital media. JWT operated as a subsidiary of WPP, the world's largest advertising holding company, and maintained a vast global network spanning more than 90 countries. The agency was known for its deep creative heritage, strategic brand thinking, and ability to deliver culturally resonant campaigns at scale. Over time, JWT expanded its capabilities into digital, data-driven marketing, and customer experience to remain competitive in the evolving AdTech landscape. In 2018, WPP merged JWT with its data and direct marketing agency Wunderman to form Wunderman Thompson, combining JWT's creative legacy with Wunderman's digital and data capabilities. The JWT brand was effectively retired as part of this consolidation. Wunderman Thompson itself was later rebranded as VML in 2023 following a further merger with VMLY&R, continuing the lineage of JWT's global network under a new identity.

• 1864Founded
• 2018Rebranded to Wunderman Thompson
• 2024Rebranded to VML