Jon Cook

A driving force at VML for 20 years, Jon has served as global CEO since 2011. During Jon’s tenure, the agency has grown from 30 employees in Kansas City, Missouri, to more than 2,500 on six continents. Jon helped lead VML to Advertising Age’s 2016 A-List honors, which recognizes the industry’s top 10 agencies. He has guided VML through critical stages of growth and expanded capabilities, spanning the widest range of marketing disciplines and driving the agency to be the most contemporary marketing partner possible. Jon embodies the agency's primary objective: to be the leading strategic partner for the world’s most forward-thinking brands. Since 2011, Jon has spearheaded VML’s global expansion. The VML global network now includes 26 offices in 15 countries. VML serves some of the world's most recognized and respected brands, including Bridgestone, Colgate-Palmolive, Ford, Kellogg, PepsiCo, Wendy’s and many more. Jon is a member of the leadership board of the American Association of Advertising Agencies and was recognized as the Advertising Professional of the Year by the American Advertising Federation (AAF-KC). He was also a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award program. A leading advocate of the VML Foundation, the agency's employee-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service organization, Jon serves on the advisory board. He is a member of the National Advisory Board of the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, and a board member of the Head for the Cure Foundation, a national organization dedicated to discovering cures for brain cancer. Jon graduated from the University of Missouri in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in journalism, and he supported the Missouri School of Journalism 2008 centennial program in several leadership capacities. He relishes spending time with his wife, Lisa, and their three daughters. The family especially enjoys hiking together.