CMI Media Group and sister agency Compas announced on October 21, 2026, that Leanne Smith has been promoted to Chief Data Privacy Officer across both organizations. The appointment places their enterprise privacy programs and oversight of new data practices under a shared executive as the healthcare marketing agencies address expanding technology use and privacy requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Smith will oversee enterprise privacy and data governance across both agencies.
- Her remit includes integrating new technologies, data sources and operational processes.
- The Data Analytics team nearly doubled under her leadership over the preceding five years, management said.
Table of Contents
- Leanne Smith takes cross-agency privacy role
- Appointment builds on an expanded analytics function
- Conclusion
Leanne Smith takes cross-agency privacy role
The agencies’ announcement of Smith’s cross-agency appointment outlines a remit spanning data management, automation, reporting, privacy and compliance. She will lead specialists across those functions and oversee how new technologies and data sources are incorporated into operations.
Smith will own the enterprise privacy program for both organizations. Her responsibilities include aligning data practices with global regulations, internal standard operating procedures and industry standards, while also advancing the agencies’ data ethics framework.
The role therefore extends beyond compliance reviews: it also covers the processes through which the agencies introduce and manage data-driven technology. The companies framed the promotion around changing client needs, advances in artificial intelligence and increasingly complex privacy obligations.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Healthcare privacy | HIPAA is among the regulations identified in Smith’s compliance remit. |
| Broader privacy rules | The remit includes GDPR, CCPA and emerging U.S. state-level privacy mandates. |
| Advertising standards | Network Advertising Initiative guidelines are also included. |
Appointment builds on an expanded analytics function
Smith has more than 25 years of experience and has spent two decades within the organization. Paul Kallukaran, Chief Data & AI Officer, said the Data Analytics team nearly doubled under her leadership over the past five years and expanded to include Business Intelligence and Business Process functions.
Kallukaran said clients want assurance that their data practices are compliant, resilient and able to withstand changing regulatory requirements. His comments identify privacy governance as a client-service priority, rather than solely an internal administrative function.
CMI Media Group, a WPP company, focuses on health, wellness, pharmaceutical marketing and medical communication. Compas works with media providers and agencies on healthcare media investments and buying execution. Smith’s shared role covers data governance across those complementary activities.
Conclusion
Smith’s next stated responsibility is overseeing the integration of technologies, data sources and operating processes across both agencies. The announcement did not set a timetable for specific implementation milestones.
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