Tessa van der Starre appointed CEO of Mediaplus as of 1 September

Today, advertisers expect more from their media agency than specialist expertise alone. At a time when technology and AI are developing at tremendous speed and the possibilities continue to expand, they are looking for a partner that gives their business undivided attention, can move quickly and makes decisions based on the client’s needs. This development aligns closely with Serviceplan Group’s independent structure, combining a complete focus on clients and the agility to act quickly with international expertise and scale to deliver quality and results.

Against this backdrop, Mediaplus is bringing on board one of the most experienced leaders in the Dutch media industry. Van der Starre brings extensive experience from international media organisations and has held senior leadership positions for many years, including CEO of EssenceMediacom and Chief Client Officer at WPP Media. She is known for her people-centred leadership style, her focus on strategic growth and her ability to sustainably develop organisations and client relationships. Throughout her career, she has worked with a broad portfolio of national and international brands and has led organisations through periods of significant change.

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 how much value scale and international expertise can add, but ultimately it is not size or organisational structure alone that makes the difference. It is the people: their expertise, 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 hugely looking forward to working with the best 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 advertisers. Her vision of people-centred leadership, entrepreneurship and client focus closely matches Mediaplus’ culture and its ‘Building Best Brands’ mission: working together with clients to build strong brands.

According to Marc Verschoor, CEO of Serviceplan Group in the Netherlands, the appointment fits seamlessly with Mediaplus’ strategic direction: “I cannot imagine a better person to lead Mediaplus into its next phase. Our independence, personal culture and drive to deliver the highest possible quality are defining ingredients of our ambitions. Tessa’s personal motivations align perfectly with those values. I am convinced she will take Mediaplus to the next level of growth.”

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