Former TBWA chief Paul Bradbury joins VML ANZ as CEO

VML Australia and New Zealand has bolstered its leadership ranks, naming Paul Bradbury, former president and CEO of TBWA ANZ, as its new CEO.

 

Bradbury takes over the regional CEO role from Tom Tearle, who departs after almost five years at the helm. The agency said the pair will work closely during a transition period spanning several weeks.

 

In his new role, Bradbury will oversee VML’s six regional offices across ANZ in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Auckland and Wellington, and its client roster, which locally includes Transurban and Monash University and global relationships with AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Intel, Microsoft and Nestlé.

 

An industry heavyweight, Bradbury spent two decades at TBWA ANZ, including a standout decade as president and CEO, transforming it into one of the region’s top creative forces. He exited the group in July last year following the appointment of Nick Garrett as CEO of a newly structured Omnicom Oceania.

 

During his tenure at TBWA, Bradbury forged partnerships with global giants Apple, Amazon, Kraft Heinz and Tourism New Zealand, plus local powerhouses Telstra, NAB, ANZ NZ and 2Degrees. His standout achievement was co-founding +61, Telstra’s bespoke agency with Bear Meets Eagle on Fire and OMD, which stormed the 2025 Cannes Lions with a Film Grand Prix and eight Lions in just 18 months. TBWA won Gold in Campaign Asia's Australian Creative Agency of the Year in 2022, while New Zealand scooped Gold in 2025. 

 

Bradbury commented, “I've watched VML ANZ's impressive rise with admiration. Tom and the team have built a strong legacy of consistent success, culminating in an unprecedented run of Network of the Year titles. VML offers the scale, capability and ambition to continue to build something genuinely differentiated for clients and talent across Australia and New Zealand. I am also energised to be joining WPP - the incredible global new business momentum at the back end of last year is testament to the progressive leadership and future-focused innovation across the company.”

 

Bradbury’s predecessor, Tearle, was described by VML as having a “transformative” impact during his tenure as CEO. His next steps remain unknown.

 

 

VML APAC CEO Yi Chung Tay said Tearle “left the agency in a strong, growing position”.

 

“As we embark on this next chapter, I am thrilled to welcome Paul Bradbury to the VML network,” Tay added.

 

“Paul’s proven track record, strategic vision, and deep industry experience make him the ideal leader to build on this success and drive VML ANZ forward. I am excited for the future under Paul’s leadership.”