China – IPG Mediabrands has elevated two of its senior leaders to key regional roles, appointing Penny Chow as chief operating officer for Greater China and Jay Lee as executive creative director of MBCS Greater China.
The dual promotion is part of the company’s efforts to strengthen collaboration across its three offices in the Greater China region and support a more integrated craft-led structure.
Chow was most recently managing director of IPG Mediabrands Taiwan and MBCS Hong Kong. With over 20 years of experience in the advertising industry, she joined IPG Mediabrands in 2017 to launch MBCS in Hong Kong, where she led partnerships with brands including Nike, Coca-Cola, and Disney. In 2022, she was appointed to lead the Taiwan office, where she played a key role in growing its client portfolio, which now includes Dyson and American Express.
In her expanded role as COO, Chow will oversee business operations in Hong Kong SAR—including both MBCS and the media team—while continuing to lead the Taiwan office. She will be based in Taiwan and report to Melinda Po, CEO of IPG Mediabrands Greater China.
Lee, previously executive creative director of MBCS Hong Kong, has more than two decades of experience across creative disciplines, having worked on accounts such as Samsung, McDonald’s, Volkswagen, and Hong Kong Airlines. He joined the company in 2017 and has since been known for his data-driven creative approach.
As executive creative director of MBCS Greater China, Lee will lead creative teams across mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and Taiwan. He will be based in Hong Kong and report to Chow.
“The promotions for Penny and Jay are well-deserved. Both have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the past – with a grand vision, strategic insight, and relentless pursuit of excellence, not only individually but for the entire group,” Po said.
“Empowered by Mediabrands’ craft-led model, centered around business leadership, strategy, design, investment, activation, analytics, operations and growth, Penny and Jay joining the Greater China Committee team will build a more unified and integrated organisation to optimise resources and bolster collaboration, driving greater growth for our clients,” she added.
