Andrea Cook departs Interpublic Group

Andrea Cook, one of the primary architects of the data-driven creative agencies FCB Six and Performance Art, is leaving Interpublic Group after eight years.

“It was a tough decision to leave behind the good friends, unbelievable talent, close client partnership, incredible work, and the comfort of a company I know well,” said Cook in a LinkedIn post announcing her departure on Sunday.

“But my heart is also ready for what’s next,” she added. “To focus on the things, places, people, talent, clients, and work that I’m most passionate about.”

Cook was most recently McCann’s global innovation officer, while also leading the agency’s North American L’Oreal business. McCann did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Cook’s departure.

She only assumed the roles in February, after Performance Art, the agency network she launched in 2021, was folded into McCann—part of an effort by McCann to focus on what global president Stephanie Nerlich described as its four “power brands”: McCann, MRM, Craft and FutureBrand.

 As part of the organisational realignment, Cook’s longtime business partner Ian Mackenzie, with whom she also launched FCB Six in 2016, was named chief creative officer for McCann Worldgroup Canada.

Cook was prescient in recognising the potential of data and technology to inform strategy and enhance creativity. While she provided no insight into her next role, she suggested that would likely be a continued area of focus. “[I’m] thrilled the transformative AI, customer-obsessed future is finally here,” she said.

After spending 12 years in various roles with Omnicom agencies, including Proximity BBDO and Tribal DDB, followed by a two-year stint as SVP and managing director at Cossette, Cook first joined IPG in 2016.
Along with Mackenzie, she co-founded FCB Six, a creative data marketing agency and technology consultancy. The agency went on to produce a string of award-winning campaigns, most notably “Go Back to Africa” for the travel company Black & Abroad.

She later became CEO of the global Performance Art network, which she launched for IPG with Mackenzie and chief client and operating officer Elizabeth Sellers in 2021.

Between them, FCB Six and Performance Art won more than 400 global awards, including the Cannes Grand Prix and the D&AD Black Pencil.

“I’m proud to have founded and built two standout agencies from scratch—companies centred on exceptional talent, steeped in innovation, [and] driven by a vision to do what’s never been done before,” said Cook. “The work and global impact of both companies continue, and it’s my honour to watch the teams and clients who live the vision(s) and have made them their own.”