Throughout John Zweig’s long and varied career there has been one constant and unifying theme – a spirit of exploration, creative expression and a quest to transform individuals and organizations against the backdrop of a dissonant culture. John has been a professional musician, a combat veteran, a race relations educator, management consultant, writer, P&G brand manager, and Group CEO in the largest marketing services company in the world.
For most of John’s career, he has been chairman of a group of companies owned in whole or in part by WPP. As the first chief executive of Branding, Identity and Specialist Communications, John led firms in identity, branding and design, sports marketing, consumer promotion, direct marketing, retail, digital/interactive media, strategic marketing consulting, ethnic/demographic marketing, and healthcare marketing. John’s group comprised 60-some companies, half of which he acquired on behalf of WPP during his tenure.
Prior to joining WPP, John was president and founder of CommonHealth, which under his leadership became the largest and most respected marketing firm supporting healthcare products and services. Before entering the advertising business, John had a successful career in marketing and management with Procter and Gamble, where he was product and category manager for a variety of consumer brands. Earlier in his career, John was a founding partner at the Waymaker Institute, a management consulting firm specializing in corporate mission, organizational research and development, and human motivation.
He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War on a destroyer and patrol gunboat; and in other Asian countries as one of the first race relations educational specialists, conducting seminars in understanding personal worth and racial dignity. He attended both Washington University and the University of the State of New York where he earned a bachelor’s degree.
Prior to entering business, John was a professional jazz guitarist and studio musician, having performed with many internationally acclaimed artists, and on national television and radio commercials. He continues to perform in New York area jazz clubs.
Zweig’s board service has included the International Longevity Center, an affiliate of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, where he was a regular keynote speaker at New York Times Foundation seminars and symposia. He also served as a trustee for The National Council of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial, among other non-profits. He is currently a director of The Cape Eleuthera Foundation, providing life-changing educational programs and scientific research in sustainable technologies.
