Tessa van der Starre appointed CEO of Mediaplus Netherlands

Amsterdam, 25 August 2026 — Today, advertisers expect more from their media agency than specialist expertise alone. As technology and AI continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, brands are looking for partners that treat their business as a priority, move quickly and make decisions based on their clients’ needs. This shift aligns closely with Serviceplan Group’s independent structure, which combines a dedicated client focus and entrepreneurial agility with international expertise and scale to deliver measurable business results.

Against this backdrop, Mediaplus is welcoming one of the most experienced leaders in the Dutch media industry. Van der Starre brings extensive experience from international media organizations and has held senior leadership roles throughout her career, including CEO of EssenceMediacom and Chief Client Officer at WPP Media. She is known for her people-centered leadership style, her focus on strategic growth and her ability to build high-performing organizations and long-term client relationships. Over the course of her career, she has worked with a wide range of national and international brands and has successfully guided organizations through periods of significant transformation.

Tessa van der Starre on her move to an independent network: “After eighteen years within an international agency network, this was a very deliberate decision for me. I have seen the value that scale and international expertise can bring, but ultimately it is not size or organizational structure alone that makes the difference. It is the people, their expertise, their quality and the attention they give clients every single day. That is exactly what convinced me about Mediaplus. The depth of expertise, strategic capabilities and international strength genuinely surprised me. I am convinced that many more advertisers, and talented people, should experience this for themselves. That is precisely why I am very much looking forward to working with this exceptional team to build the next phase of Mediaplus’ growth.”

As CEO, Van der Starre will lead Mediaplus in the Netherlands. Her focus will be on further strengthening the agency’s integrated offering, attracting and developing top talent, and expanding long-term partnerships with clients. Her vision of people-centered leadership, entrepreneurship and client focus closely reflects Mediaplus’ culture and its “Building Best Brands” mission: working side by side with clients to build stronger brands.

According to Marc Verschoor, CEO of Serviceplan Group Netherlands, the appointment aligns perfectly with Mediaplus’ strategic direction: “I cannot imagine a better person to lead Mediaplus into its next phase. Our independence, entrepreneurial culture and commitment to delivering the highest quality are at the heart of our ambitions. Tessa’s personal values align perfectly with that approach. I am confident she will help take Mediaplus to the next stage of growth.”

Matthias Brüll, Global CEO of Mediaplus Group, also sees Van der Starre’s arrival as a significant addition to the organization: “Tessa is an exceptional leader with an impressive track record of driving growth and building lasting client relationships. We are delighted to welcome her to Mediaplus and are confident she will play an important role in strengthening our position in the Dutch market and beyond.”