NYTech
People
Personemployee

David Gaines

President, Global Head of Planning at WPP Media

LinkedIn profile Suggest an update

Overview

David Gaines serves as President, Global Head of Planning at WPP Media[1][3]. Gaines has over 25 years of experience in media, digital, and strategy[2]. Prior positions include CEO and Founder of Media by Mother from January 2021 to May 2026[4], Global Head of Media Strategy at WPP from September 2018 to May 2020[6], Chief Strategy Officer at Wavemaker from November 2017 to November 2018[7], and Chief Planning Officer, Americas at Maxus from January 2014 to November 2017[8]. Gaines also served as CEO of Maxus from July 2009 to October 2012[10]. Educational background includes a degree in Architecture from K College Kent UK[13], Communication and Media Studies from Martran Business College, Covent Garden UK[12], and executive education in Reimaging Strategy and Design Thinking from Harvard Business School[11].

Profile introduction
Source excerptLinkedIn [2]

With over 25 years of experience in media, digital, and strategy across the globe, I am the CEO and Founder of Media by Mother, a start-up that aims to reimagine media and creative solutions for the digital age. I have a passion for innovation, collaboration, and impact, and I leverage my expertise in communications strategy, creative direction, and online marketing to help clients achieve their goals and grow their brands. Prior to launching Media by Mother, I held various senior roles at leading media and advertising agencies, such as WPP, Wavemaker, and Maxus, where I was responsible for t…

Career history

  1. President, Global Head of PlanningMay 2026 to presentWPP Media
  2. CEO & FounderJan 2021 to May 2026Media by Mother
  3. Getting the start up started.May 2020 to Jan 2021Mother
  4. Global Head of Media StrategySep 2018 to May 2020WPP
  5. Chief Strategy OfficerNov 2017 to Nov 2018Wavemaker
  6. Chief Planning Officer, AmericasJan 2014 to Nov 2017Maxus
  7. Managing PartnerOct 2012 to Nov 2013Edentify Pty Ltd
  8. CEOJul 2009 to Oct 2012Maxus

Education

  1. Reimaging Strategy; Applying Design Thinking , Strategy2018 - 2018Harvard Business School Executive Education
  2. Communication and Media Studies1992 - 1994Martran Business CollegeCovent Garden UK
  3. Architecture at K College Kent UK1988 - 1990

This page shows public professional information only, each fact cited. Is this you? send a correction, or ask for removal within 24 hours, no questions asked.