We Are Social co-founder steps down after 16 years

We Are Social’s co-founder and group chief executive, Nathan McDonald, is stepping down after 16 years to “take on new challenges”.

Brett Marchand, the chief executive of We Are Social’s parent Plus Company, will step in as interim group chief executive, with McDonald acting as a strategic advisor for the next six months.

McDonald founded the global social media creative agency in east London with Robin Grant in 2008. Grant left the business in 2020, at which time he was global chairman, and is now the founder and chair of the UK MTB Trail Alliance.

We Are Social employs 1,300 people worldwide, and has worked with Adidas, Samsung, Netflix, Audi and Booking.com.

McDonald said: “We’ve grown from a small, ambitious team into a global network, shaping culture and redefining how some of the world’s biggest brands connect with people. Looking at where we are today, I feel like it’s the right time for me to start a new adventure, leaving We Are Social in the safe hands of our talented leadership team.”

Alongside Marchand as group chief executive, the global leadership team includes Mobbie Nazir as global chief strategy officer, Chris Adamson as global chief operations officer and Jim Coleman is the UK chief executive. 

McDonald added: “Back in the day, We Are Social was a challenger brand. Now the brand is an industry benchmark for socially led marketing. I’m especially proud of the group of leaders we have in the business and it’s now time for them to build on the success we have had so far. We Are Social leads and sets the standard for socially led agencies and I know they will keep it that way.

"With our unique proposition, truly global scale, and our AI-enabled approach to insight, creativity and production, We Are Social is exceptionally well positioned to deliver social at scale for brands. I’m very confident in the future of the agency.”

We Are Social became part of Plus Company in 2021 after CVC Capital Partners acquired a majority stake.

Marchand said: “Nathan has built a world-class agency with a strong executive team, talented workforce, globally renowned brand and a long list of dynamic clients. We want to thank Nathan for his leadership, vision and unparalleled work ethic in making We Are Social what it is today and wish him all the best for the future."