Former Meta, Unilever exec Sri Widowati named GroupM ID CEO

GroupM Indonesia is entering a new chapter with the appointment of Sri Widowati as its new CEO. The move signals a shift for the seasoned executive, who brings over two decades of experience from some of the world's most influential consumer and tech brands.

"The announcement is out. I'm stepping into the role of CEO at GroupM. It's a big move, and one I'm truly excited about after years on the client side," she wrote on LinkedIn.

Widowati officially begins on 16 June 2025 and will lead GroupM's operations in Southeast Asia's largest economy - a key market for the WPP-owned media investment group.

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GroupM itself framed her appointment as a signal of renewed intent to deepen its client-first approach. "We are excited to welcome Sri Widowati as CEO of GroupM Indonesia! Clients are at the heart of everything we do, and [Widowati] brings a sharp focus on delivering innovation that drives meaningful impact in one of the world's most dynamic and forward-thinking markets," the company said in a statement.

From Meta to GroupM: strategic pivot

The appointment is a notable pivot for Widowati, who has spent most of her career on the brand side, holding key leadership roles at Unilever, Danone, and Meta, where she was instrumental in steering regional growth strategies. Alongside her corporate leadership, she has also served as an independent commissioner at CIMB Niaga, one of Indonesia's largest private banks.

Widowati recognises the challenges ahead and sees them as essential opportunities to drive meaningful change: "Change isn't easy. It's uncomfortable, often messy. But it's also where progress happens, when we stop reacting and start shaping what's next," she said.

What excites her most, she added, is the opportunity to create "real business impact for clients," which she believes is the core purpose of their work. She also looks forward to learning from top talent across WPP and GroupM to build more comprehensive solutions and elevating the teams' mindset to "think more like business leaders."

What she brings

Her commercial experience provides a clear insight into what brands expect from agencies - emphasising the need for transparency, measurable business outcomes, and operational agility.

"[Widowati] is known not only for her strategic acumen, but also as a people-first leader - respected, trusted, and committed to building strong teams and lasting partnerships," GroupM noted. 

Her appointment comes amid media reports that WPP is planning to rebrand GroupM as 'WPP Media', part of broader efforts to streamline its structure and boost operational efficiency. As part of this shift, WPP is also expected to consolidate individual agency investment teams.

"Indonesia is one of the most dynamic media markets in the world and we're in a position to lead its next wave of transformation," Widowati wrote. She closed her post with a nod to the community she's now joining: "Grateful for the trust. Look forward to working closely with the team and our partners."

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to GroupM for more information.

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