DDB Singapore welcomes Daniel Huang as senior strategist to strengthen regional planning team

Singapore – DDB Group Singapore has expanded its strategic planning capabilities with the appointment of senior strategist Daniel Huang.

Huang brings experience from roles in Shanghai, London, and Hong Kong, with a background in brand planning and customer experience across sectors such as FMCG, consumer technology, and hospitality. His past work includes collaborations with Unilever on Dove’s cross-cultural beauty campaigns, as well as contributing to the global launches of Huawei’s Mate 40 and P40 smartphones and the Huawei Global Photography Awards.

Commenting on his appointment, Huang said, “I believe that a brand’s value lies in its meaningful impact on people. Thanks to our incredible team and the powerful resources we have at hand, we are in the best position possible to empower clients with creative ideas that move people deeply.”

In his new role, Huang will work alongside chief strategy officer Subodh Deshpande, who joined the agency last year. He joins a planning team that includes planning director Susanna Yap and brand and social strategist Annabelle Goh.

Goh arrives from Ogilvy Singapore, where she handled accounts such as Unilever, The Coca-Cola Company, and Colgate-Palmolive, with a focus on digital and social-first campaigns. Yap, a long-time member of DDB, has worked on strategy for clients including Google, DBS Bank, and McDonald’s over her nearly 12-year tenure.

The team is further supported by integrated consultants such as Kenneth Wee, a researcher and strategist with experience in both the public and private sectors across Southeast Asia and the United States. Wee specialises in cultural insight, editorial strategy, and data storytelling.

Huang’s appointment comes as DDB rolls out the Feels Barometer, a global tool developed with insights agency TRA to capture emotional responses at scale. Unlike traditional sentiment analysis, the tool maps the depth, nuance, and sensory dimensions of feelings—including associations with colour, shape, and temperature. A version tailored for Asian markets is expected to be released later this year.

The tool will be integrated into DDB’s global strategic and creative workflows, forming part of its proprietary AI-driven suite, RAND DDB. Clients will gain access to analytical reports, workshops, and industry-specific applications designed to better align campaigns with audience emotions.

“We have seen firsthand the power of feelings to gain an emotional advantage. As a hub for regional clients, the Feels Barometer will be instrumental in making sure our campaigns align with the unique emotional drivers of diverse audiences. This is particularly pertinent in Southeast Asia, one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world,” said Deshpande.