Ryan McManus
- London Chief Creative Officer
- United Kingdom
Ryan is currently the UK Chief Creative Officer at VML and sits on the Global Creative Board. His work at the intersection of creativity, technology, and culture has reshaped brands, agencies, and businesses.
In New York, Ryan served as Chief Creative Officer for North America at VMLY&R | WPP | Ford. He led VMLY&R Miami, where he reconstituted the teams to create culturally impactful, award-winning work and drive brand growth. In South Africa, Ryan joined NATIVE as a partner and grew it into South Africa’s number one digital agency, which was later sold to VML. He oversaw the merger of VML and Y&R to become CCO of VMLY&R South Africa, a full-service integrated agency. Ryan led the agency to creative & commercial success, winning Africa’s largest account, Vodacom, winning Bookmarks Agency of the Year twice, winning Cannes Entertainment Agency of the Year, and placing the agency at #3 on WARC Creative Rankings.
Previously, Ryan has worked at agencies including JWT, FCB, Serviceplan, We Are Pi, Euro RSCG, 180, and more. In Amsterdam, Ryan co-founded The Soon Institute - a company focused on prototyping the futures of brands. He co-founded Join the Pipe, an NGO that won Best New Initiative from UNICEF. Ryan also co-founded BROTHERS, a film production company, becoming an award-winning writer and director.
Ryan’s work has won hundreds of awards, including Cannes Lions, D&AD, NYF, One Show, ADC, Loeries. He has been a regular judge at global award shows, including Cannes. Ryan was listed in Mail & Guardians Top 200, The Media Magazine’s Top 40 under 40, and was invited to sit on the Creative Circle EXCO Board.
Outside of work, Ryan loves spending time with his three daughters, surfing, and traveling to places he can be barefoot.
Contact Ryan.
