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Stephan Pretorius

Chief Technology Officer at WPP

Stephan Pretorius is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at WPP, a position he has held since 2018.13 He is also an Advisor at Conscium, a role he took on in 2024.3 Pretorius has over 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising technology.4

Interestingly, Pretorius is a unique CTO as he never formally studied computer science, software development, or engineering. He gained his technology expertise through practical application, intuition, and osmosis.1 This unconventional background has given him a humanistic perspective on technology, emphasizing a "people first, not technology first" approach.1

Pretorius describes himself as a "skeptical technologist," meaning he's optimistic about the long-term value of technology but always questions its purpose and impact.1 He focuses on how technology can enhance people's lives and solve problems, rather than being interested in technology for its own sake.1

In his role at WPP, Pretorius is involved in developing and deploying AI solutions for clients globally.2 He is passionate about helping brands develop their ever-evolving technological capabilities.4 Pretorius is also active on social media, where he discusses topics such as AI, martech, adtech, creativity, innovation, and growth.5

Highlights

Jul 30 · adexchanger.com
The Skeptical Technologist - AdExchanger
The Skeptical Technologist - AdExchanger
Jun 10 · londontechweek.com
Stephan Pretorius - London Tech Week 2025
Stephan Pretorius - London Tech Week 2025
May 7 · youtube.com
Screaming Creativity with Rob Reilly and Stephan Pretorius - YouTube
Screaming Creativity with Rob Reilly and Stephan Pretorius - YouTube
Apr 9 · Yahoo Finance UK
Google's Gemini AI to help write and narrate ads for marketing behemoth WPP - Yahoo Finance UK
Google's Gemini AI to help write and narrate ads for marketing behemoth WPP - Yahoo Finance UK
Feb 14 · The Drum
It is time to start reckoning with how tech changes will really impact marketers - The Drum
It is time to start reckoning with how tech changes will really impact marketers - The Drum

Related Questions

What are Stephan Pretorius' main responsibilities at Conscium?
How did Stephan Pretorius transition from WPP to Conscium?
What is Stephan Pretorius' background before joining WPP?
How does Stephan Pretorius' approach to technology differ from traditional CTOs?
What are some of the key projects Stephan Pretorius has worked on at WPP?
Stephan Pretorius
Stephan Pretorius, photo 1
Stephan Pretorius, photo 2
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Location

London, England, United Kingdom