From Deloitte to McCann: Journey in entering the Future of Advertising

In the world of global advertising and marketing, very few careers illustrate the perfect blend of financial expertise, operational leadership, and visionary strategy quite like Laura Turano. With over 17 years at McCann Worldgroup, followed by leadership roles across Ogilvy and WPP, Laura has been at the forefront of transforming how agencies think about commercial operations, client finance, and sustainable growth.

Career Journey: From Accounting to Advertising Leadership

Laura’s journey began with a strong foundation in accounting at Deloitte. Numbers, compliance, and discipline gave her the rigor needed to succeed in industries that thrive on margins and client trust. But it was her transition into advertising — first at Grey Global Group, then Lowe & Partners, and later Ogilvy — that marked the start of her journey into the high-stakes world of global client finance.

Her longest tenure came at McCann Worldgroup, where she rose from Senior Vice President of Global Finance to Executive Vice President, Head of Global Commercial Operations. Here, she oversaw commercial strategies for accounts that represented nearly 40% of McCann’s global revenue portfolio, while also driving transformation in processes, systems, and training for teams worldwide.

This wasn’t just finance — it was the business engine of creativity.

Day-to-Day at McCann: Balancing Creativity with Commercial Discipline

What does a leader like Laura do on a daily basis at McCann? Her role combined financial stewardship, operational modernization, and people leadership. She wasn’t only negotiating contracts or approving numbers — she was:

• Leading the global pipeline management system to bring predictability to a highly dynamic industry.

• Building commercial frameworks that ensured creativity could thrive sustainably.

• Partnering with both CFOs and Chief Client Officers, bridging creativity and commerce.

• Standardizing tools for project management, resource allocation, and client compliance — ensuring that McCann could move with agility at scale.

Her career shows that in advertising, finance is not just about budgets — it’s about enabling bold creative ideas to see the light of day without risking the health of the agency.

The Industry Outlook: Advertising in the Age of AI

The advertising industry is at an inflection point. From Laura’s vantage point, the biggest shift is the rise of AI in marketing. Agencies like McCann are already integrating AI in campaign testing, audience targeting, and creative optimization. But the human layer — strategy, empathy, storytelling — remains irreplaceable.

Future leaders in advertising will need to balance automation with imagination, making AI a partner rather than a replacement.

What Makes McCann Different

McCann’s legacy has always been about “Truth Well Told” — campaigns that resonate because they connect deeply with human insight. What makes McCann different is the scale at which it operates globally, yet with local cultural sensitivity. Laura’s work in standardizing global commercial operations ensured that this scale didn’t come at the cost of agility.

If you’re looking to build a career here, McCann demands more than creativity — it demands collaboration, financial discipline, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in a multicultural environment.

How to Join a Global Agency Like McCann

If you’re inspired by Laura’s journey and want to step into the advertising world, here’s what matters:

• Expertise needed: Strong grounding in either finance, marketing, business strategy, or data analytics.

• Tools to learn: Project management platforms (Asana, Jira, Monday.com), BI tools (Tableau, Power BI), contract management systems, and AI-driven marketing tools.

• Mindset to cultivate: Creative problem-solving, commercial awareness, and resilience to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.

Advice for Young Professionals

Laura’s career teaches us that the road to leadership in advertising isn’t just about campaigns — it’s about systems, trust, and transformation.

For young professionals, here are her takeaways:

1. Learn continuously — AI, data analytics, and finance fundamentals will keep you relevant.

2. Develop a creative mindset — even if you’re in finance, think like a creative. Innovation comes from seeing the bigger picture.

3. Build relationships — advertising is built on trust, both with clients and colleagues.

4. Stay adaptable — the industry shifts fast, and agility is as valuable as expertise.

Final Word

From Deloitte’s audit rooms to McCann’s global boardrooms, Laura Turano proves that careers in advertising aren’t confined to copywriters or art directors. Finance leaders like her are the silent architects of creativity, ensuring agencies not only dream big but deliver sustainably.

For those aspiring to enter this field, the message is clear: Master your craft, embrace technology, and never stop learning.