AKQA founder Tom Bedecarré passes away

Known as a “transformational leader,” he led the digital agency as its co-founder and chairman for 15 years

by e4m Desk
Published: Apr 2, 2025 12:49 PM | 2 min read

Tom Bedecarré the co-founder and former chairman of AKQA Inc., a digital design and communications agency owned by WPP, has passed away at the age of 69.

The news of Bedecarré’s passing was shared by the company: “With deep sadness we share that Tom Bedecarré, our Co-Founder and former Chairman has passed away. His contributions left an indelible mark on the past, present and future of AKQA. Our thoughts go to his family, friends and all those honoured to have known him.”

Known as a “transformational leader,” he led the digital agency as its co-founder and chairman for 15 years.

“A tireless innovator and pioneer in media, entertainment and communications with a glittering career that spanned more than 35 years. Tom has left an indelible mark on the past, present and future of advertising. A legacy that will live on forever and inspire for years to come,” said the company.

He started his career as an assistant account exec in 1981 with Ogilvy & Mather.

He then worked alongside Hal of Hal Riney & Partners, but left the firm fuelled by an entrepreneurial spirit. In 1990, he helped found a new agency, Atlas Citron Haligman & Bedecarré, later named Citron Haligman Bedecarré (CHB).

The agency saw great growth in the mid-1990s with tech adoption and dotcom trends. In 2000 Bedecarré built the company’s digital assets to become a global player.

In 2012, AKQA was sold to WPP in one of the biggest acquisitions of a digital agency at the time. Following the announcement, his long-time business partner and co-founder of AKQA Ajaz Ahmed assumed the role of CEO, with Bedecarré becoming Chairman of AKQA. Concurrently, Bedecarré was named President of WPP Ventures, where he explored Silicon Valley-based investment opportunities for WPP, the world’s largest communications services group.

During his time at AKQA, the company won more than 600 awards; AKQA was named Agency of the Year 33 times, most notably by OMMA five times and appeared on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list four times. AKQA was listed as a Leader in Forrester’s 37-criteria evaluation of US digital agencies in 2012.