London: Kantar, the world’s leading marketing data and analytics company today announces the appointment of Paul Zwillenberg as Chief Executive Officer. He joins Kantar on September 29, and assumes day-to-day leadership of the business on January 1, 2026.
Zwillenberg, who will be based in the USA, joins from Accenture where he was Vice Chair Reinvention, and Global Leader of Media and Entertainment Strategy. He brings over 30 years of experience across media, technology and entertainment having previously served as CEO of Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT). While at DTMG, he led a strategic transformation across the portfolio of consumer media, events and information services companies, the success of which enabled the business to be taken private in 2022. Before that he was Senior Partner and Managing Director at BCG, leading its Global Media Practice.
Zwillenberg commented “Since its inception over fifty years ago, Kantar has been a world leader in marketing data and analytics, giving brands the rigorous research and insight they need to reach more customers, better, faster and with greater relevance. I can’t wait to build on the fantastic progress made since the 2019 Bain Capital acquisition by harnessing the potential of AI to do even more for our clients, bringing them the very best from the cutting edge of branding and marketing solutions to help them grow. It’s such an exciting time to be joining a great business with exceptional data science and talent at its heart.”
Chris Jansen, who has led Kantar Group since July 2021, as well as the standalone Kantar brand business since January 2024, will lead the business through to the end of 2025 to ensure a seamless transition of leadership. He will additionally conclude his responsibilities as Kantar Group CEO before the end of Q1 2026 and step down from the business.
Welcoming Zwillenberg into the organization, Jansen said “Over the past four years we have strategically refocused Kantar’s portfolio and value proposition. It is now an indispensable brand partner to the world’s most important companies, providing them with insights and guidance to shape their brand futures. Our strategic partnership with Microsoft has additionally ushered in a new era of AI-native operations and solutions to ensure Kantar remains the market leader for years to come.
“With the roadmap for Kantar well established, and the operational separation of Numerator nearing completion, now is the right time to introduce a new dedicated leader for Kantar. In Paul, we have a brilliant new leader with a world-class reputation for digital innovation, operational leadership, and client-centric, long-term growth.”
Adam Crozier, Chairman of Kantar Group, added “I would first like to thank Chris for his outstanding leadership in the significant transformation of Kantar. Today, it is a fundamentally better and healthier business than the one he inherited four years ago. We see from client feedback that we are more highly valued and regarded today than ever before. In Paul, we have found the right inspirational leader for Kantar’s next phase, to deliver even more value to our clients and grow the Kantar business. I am enormously optimistic for the future of the business under Paul's vision and leadership.”
Zwillenberg, who will be based in the USA, joins from Accenture where he was Vice Chair Reinvention, and Global Leader of Media and Entertainment Strategy. He brings over 30 years of experience across media, technology and entertainment having previously served as CEO of Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT). While at DTMG, he led a strategic transformation across the portfolio of consumer media, events and information services companies, the success of which enabled the business to be taken private in 2022. Before that he was Senior Partner and Managing Director at BCG, leading its Global Media Practice.
Zwillenberg commented “Since its inception over fifty years ago, Kantar has been a world leader in marketing data and analytics, giving brands the rigorous research and insight they need to reach more customers, better, faster and with greater relevance. I can’t wait to build on the fantastic progress made since the 2019 Bain Capital acquisition by harnessing the potential of AI to do even more for our clients, bringing them the very best from the cutting edge of branding and marketing solutions to help them grow. It’s such an exciting time to be joining a great business with exceptional data science and talent at its heart.”
Chris Jansen, who has led Kantar Group since July 2021, as well as the standalone Kantar brand business since January 2024, will lead the business through to the end of 2025 to ensure a seamless transition of leadership. He will additionally conclude his responsibilities as Kantar Group CEO before the end of Q1 2026 and step down from the business.
Welcoming Zwillenberg into the organization, Jansen said “Over the past four years we have strategically refocused Kantar’s portfolio and value proposition. It is now an indispensable brand partner to the world’s most important companies, providing them with insights and guidance to shape their brand futures. Our strategic partnership with Microsoft has additionally ushered in a new era of AI-native operations and solutions to ensure Kantar remains the market leader for years to come.
“With the roadmap for Kantar well established, and the operational separation of Numerator nearing completion, now is the right time to introduce a new dedicated leader for Kantar. In Paul, we have a brilliant new leader with a world-class reputation for digital innovation, operational leadership, and client-centric, long-term growth.”
Adam Crozier, Chairman of Kantar Group, added “I would first like to thank Chris for his outstanding leadership in the significant transformation of Kantar. Today, it is a fundamentally better and healthier business than the one he inherited four years ago. We see from client feedback that we are more highly valued and regarded today than ever before. In Paul, we have found the right inspirational leader for Kantar’s next phase, to deliver even more value to our clients and grow the Kantar business. I am enormously optimistic for the future of the business under Paul's vision and leadership.”