Tag: Appointments

Singapore – Travel and lifestyle PR agencies GHC Asia and Accela Communications received a joint mandate to reposition the newly transformed Grand Hyatt Singapore as ‘A Grand Living Room and Wellness Haven in the Orchard Road area’. 

The dual-agency appointment is part of Grand Hyatt Singapore’s marketing strategy to elevate the hotel’s luxury positioning, rooted in legacy and exceptional service, that spans over five decades.

As the hotel enters phased completion in its multi-year transformational journey, it aims to secure its enviable position as Singapore’s long-established favorite place for locals and visitors alike to meet, convene, and celebrate for generations to come. 

“The appointment of GHC Asia and Accela Communications comes as we prepare to reveal Grand Hyatt Singapore’s reimagined spaces, which will be more theatrical and captivating than ever before,” said Charis Choi, regional vice president of sales and marketing Southeast Asia for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. 

Choi further reveals that “GHC Asia will lead the strategic communications and uplift the hotel’s luxury positioning, with a focus on partnership marketing and international media outreach, while Accela Communications will drive creative communications for the lifestyle concepts at the hotel’s signature restaurants, bars, and Damai Spa.”

GHC Asia has carried with it a 20-year expertise and international network in the travel, tourism, luxury lifestyle, and property sectors since its inception in Hong Kong in 1998. 

“We are delighted to have been selected to lead the relaunch PR campaign for such an illustrious and much-loved hotel as Grand Hyatt Singapore. Like many people, we have a lot of fond memories of special occasions within its familiar spaces over the years. The hotel’s rich history and international acclaim give us a strong backdrop from which to build new stories and forge meaningful partnerships, driving awareness across traditional media, digital platforms, and social touchpoints,” said Paul Hicks, founder and CEO of GHC Asia.

Meanwhile, Accela Communications will take the lead for consumer PR for Grand Hyatt Singapore’s reimagined F&B and wellness concepts and will develop guest-centric story angles for the hotel’s iconic lifestyle destinations. The agency is renowned for its integrated communications approach to generating creative and innovative campaigns across traditional, social media, and digital marketing. 

Erin Padilla, CEO and co-founder of Accela Communications, shared that “We’re thrilled to be part of this significant moment in Grand Hyatt Singapore’s history. As long-time champions of the property, we’re excited to have won the agency bid to lead creative PR activations for the relaunch. Grand Hyatt Singapore is loved by locals and international travellers for its world-class hospitality and innovative dining experiences. We can’t wait to bring back Singapore’s urban oasis right in the heart of the Orchard Road district.”

The iconic hotel welcomed its first guest in 1971 under the name Singapore Hyatt Hotel, which was subsequently renamed Hyatt Regency Singapore in 1979. In 1998, the hotel rebranded as Grand Hyatt Singapore after a major upgrade of its 677 guestrooms and suites, complemented by the introduction of world-class gourmet concepts.

“Within the World of Hyatt, Grand Hyatt hotels offer a front row seat to major gateway cities and resort destinations, bringing travel dreams to life by celebrating the iconic in small details and magnificent moments. Our guests would be able to expect service excellence and first-class accommodations within a multicultural backdrop of dramatic architecture, inventive restaurants, luxury spas, and sophisticated meeting spaces,” said Charis Choi.

“We’re very excited at how Grand Hyatt Singapore’s evolution makes it more than ever the perfect embodiment of the Grand Hyatt brand promise. We can’t wait to show the newly transformed hotel to our ambitious guests around the world seeking confidence and the new in familiar,” she further added.

New Zealand – Mango Aotearoa is experiencing growth, increasing in size. The recently announced changes include the appointment of seven producers and a talent manager.

The Mango experiential team receives support from group ECD Matty Burton and strategy director Jack Murphy. Additionally, they have an internal content creation team comprising digital, design, and technical domains.

Jessica McColl has been appointed as group business director at Mango.

Speaking of the appointment of McColl, Brianna Elder, managing partner and head of experiential at Mango Aotearoa, said, “Jessica brings with her an incredible wealth of experience, amazing creative ability and the best black book in the market.” 

She added, “We have an incredible team of producers that can make any idea a reality, and we’ve partnered that expertise with more creative firepower, pointy insights and content creation that significantly expands the reach of our physical executions into the digital space.”

“As our clients diversify their experiential needs, we’re delivering differently too. We’re seeing a shift away from product-led experiences to a dual need for product and brand in all executions. Tasting is no longer believing, there are layers of messaging and emotional connection in everything we do,” Elder said.

Dallas, USA – Global data company Dynata has appointed Mark Lepine as the new managing director of its Asia-Pacific (APAC) business. Lepine, who has extensive experience in both the region and market research, will be in charge of managing the company’s APAC operations, fostering Dynata’s market presence and growth.

Lepine brings nearly 30 years of regional expertise to his new role, including four years as managing director of APAC at Survey Sampling International (SSI), which merged in 2017 with Research Now and later rebranded as Dynata. Previously, he served in regional management positions at Gartner, WGSN and Forrester.

Speaking on his own appointment, Lepine expresses that he is thrilled to join Dynata and lead the APAC team during this phase of growth.

“Our unmatched capabilities and advanced solutions are truly differentiated assets, presenting us with endless opportunities to drive innovation, unlock transformative insights and deliver unparalleled value to clients across the vibrant and diverse APAC market,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chris Watson, the international managing director of Dynata, said, “At this pivotal moment in our industry, Dynata stands proudly at the forefront of the first-party data ecosystem and Mark’s market research experience, abilities to lead and drive growth align perfectly with our strategic goals. Mark will have a pivotal role in expanding our reach, elevating our market position and driving continued success across the APAC region. We have complete confidence in Mark’s ability to deliver outstanding results for our clients.”

Australia – Clemenger BBDO has appointed Anita Zanesco as its first chief growth officer, along with new managing partners Georgie Winton and Anita Deutsch-Burley.

Clemenger BBDO CEO Dani Bassil expressed her enthusiasm for the talented individuals joining the agency. Bassil commended Zanesco, Winton, and Deutsch-Burley as exceptional forces within the industry, highlighting their talent, intelligence, energy, and fun personalities.

Moreover, Bassil is optimistic about the rapid growth the agency has experienced and predicted that the new appointments would significantly impact clients, agency culture, and overall work quality.

In response to their appointment, Zanesco, Winton, and Deutsch-Burley expressed excitement at joining Clemenger BBDO. They have praised the agency’s strategic and creative prowess, particularly under Bassil’s leadership, and spoke of the passion and drive within the team to create fame and fortune for their clients.

Further, Zanesco will spearhead the agency’s growth strategy, while Winton will be the managing partner based in the Sydney office and Deutsch-Burley in Melbourne.

These significant appointments mark the first senior hires made under Dani Bassil’s leadership as CEO, a position she assumed in January 2023. With these new additions, Clemenger BBDO is primed to maintain its industry leadership in the dynamic field of advertising.

Manila, Philippines – Global behavioural insights company Canvas8 has recently expanded its operations to the Philippines, and has named three key staff hires. Therese Reyes takes over as lead editor for the APAC region, while Dren Pavia joins Canvas8 as junior sub-editor, and Gershom Mabaquiao as junior editor. 

In her new role, Reyes will work with specialists, journalists, and analysts to uncover insightful data and transform it into useful output for clients in a range of industries. She has gained experience reporting on a variety of topics, including current affairs, K-pop, international pop culture, life, and mental health, at VICE Asia before joining Canvas8.

Reyes and Mabaquaio will work together to create content about APAC’s cultural insights. Mabaquiao is a nonfiction author and aspiring folklorist. 

Lastly, Pavia has experience as a creative associate and story writer at Star Cinema, and as a script doctor for WeTV. Before switching to feature writing at Canvas8, Dren worked for Koreaboo, a US-based media outlet where he specialised in reporting K-Pop-related news.

Hannah Langton, regional partnerships director at Canvas8, said, “We are delighted to make these key staff hires in Manila, Philippines. Our three new team members have each proven themselves to be highly accomplished in their fields and will be a real asset to Canvas8 as we continue to expand our services across APAC. I’m glad to welcome them on board.”

Gurugram, India – Havas Media Group India, the media expertise division of Havas India, has announced a significant elevation of its senior leadership team across functions to further strengthen its structure. 

The strategic restructuring is part of the agency’s expansion of its business and service portfolios through collaborations and increased efficiency, in line with its unprecedented growth.

According to Havas, the elevation of the senior leadership team is a testament to the agency’s commitment to delivering unparalleled media solutions to its clients. The newly elevated senior leadership team will bring their extensive industry experience and expertise to drive the agency’s growth, foster innovation, and enhance its service offerings. 

Two of the key elevations are Roopali Sharma and Harbir Singh, now as president – North 1 and North 2, respectively, at Havas Media India. The two will further strengthen client partnerships, profitability, and business relations.

Saurabh Jain has also been elevated as president – South, Havas Media India and will be responsible for scaling up the momentum and growth of the agency’s success story in South — a key focus market for Havas Media India. 

Meanwhile, Manish Sharma, in his elevated role as managing partner – West, Havas Media India will continue making significant contributions to Havas’ successful journey in the West region. New business acquisitions, growth of the existing roster and service strategy will be integral to his role.

As the Chief Strategy Officer for Havas Media India, Sanchita Roy will likewise drive strategic innovation and growth to the next level for clients and the agency alike. She will be bringing with her a deep industry experience and vision which made her a fitting candidate to represent the agency at global platforms like Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and Campaign Agency of Year – South Asia in 2022.

Lastly, Rohan Chincholi has been appointed as managing partner – digital services, Havas Media India, where he will strategise on expanding and enhancing the agency offerings and outcomes to ensure being at par with the digital industry’s evolution in current times.

The team will report to Uday Mohan, managing director, Havas Media India. Commenting on the elevations, he said, “I feel great pride in seeing the team on a rapid growth path. The elevations are aimed at recognizing the team’s commitment and further strengthening our core ensuring heightened focus on sustainable growth and unlocking greater possibilities. Best wishes to all for the new journey with additional responsibilities.”

Havas Media Group India CEO, Mohit Joshi also said, “We are delighted to elevate our core leadership team to new roles. Their exceptional dedication and business acumen have been critical to our success.”

He added, “In 2023, we have set very high growth targets for ourselves, and I am confident that the team will tap into attaining exceptional results aiding us create a meaningful difference in the country’s media eco-system. Congratulations to all.”

This follows Havas Media Group’s recent media mandate wins, including PUMA India and Paradise Biryani.

Singapore – To bolster network transformation in APAC, ADK Global has announced the promotion of Neville Medhora to the inaugural role of chief transformation officer.

In the new role, he will accelerate ADK Global’s digital transformation by integrating ADK’s business offerings and solutions across regions and clients to achieve specific agency goals in India, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Medhora will report to Rie Otsuka, chief growth officer at ADK Global, and work closely with Pradeep Shankar, president of ADK Rage, to champion ADK’s IMC solutions in India.

Medhora joins ADK with over 25 years of experience leading cross-functional teams in design, branding, UI//UX, web technology, search marketing, and social media. At ADK Rage, he innovated several notable optimizations regarding agency planning, agile workflows, and new business lead funnels. 

Notably, he also pioneered an audience relationship methodology that greatly improved the agency’s ideation process and delivered outcomes for clients such as Tata Motors, Croma, and Jones Lang LaSalle. He also spearheaded key digital initiatives for clients within the boundaries of the traditional offline format.

On his appointment, Medhora said, “The ADK Global network has both highly talented teams and multifaceted services. My aim is to integrate both into a single-window delivery for our clients.”

He added, “We want to be an agency which can deliver across two fronts. The first is creativity backed by consumer insights and strategic vision. The second is seamless execution of those ideas across mainstream and digital platforms.”

Yasuyuki Katagi, CEO, ADK Global, also remarked, “ADK Global’s ambitions to reimagine the business will be significantly boosted with Neville Medhora’s appointment as our first Chief Transformation Officer. As the prior Head of India and EMEA at ADK Rage, he is ideally placed to leverage and apply ADK Rage’s digital solutions and methodologies across the rest of the network.”

Katagi added, “Within ADK Global, we are always on the lookout for employees who want to be challenged, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the right opportunities. We see Medhora as one such talent and wish him the best in his new role.”

This follows ADK’s appointment of Rie Otsuka as its chief executive officer for Singapore and emerging countries and chief growth officer for ADK Global.

Singapore – Creative agency M&C Saatchi has announced the appointment of Anish Daryani as its chief growth officer for Southeast Asia. He will be reporting to Richard Morewood, M&C Saatchi Asia CEO, effective immediately.

In the new role, Daryani will drive growth through regional new business, the development of new capabilities for the region, and the expansion into new markets, whilst continuing to lead M&C Saatchi Indonesia as president director.

On his appointment, Daryani said, “I’m really excited to unlock growth opportunities for our businesses and clients across the region. This is the most exciting time in our industry where innovation, growth, reputation and efficiency are all inter-linked.”

He added, “M&C Saatchi Group is poised to build cross-country and cross-disciplinary teams for its clients, making it possible for us to achieve audacious results for our clients. With the support of amazing leadership and talent across the region, we’re ushering in an era of hypergrowth in South East Asia.”

Meanwhile, Morewood commented, “South East Asia is a key focus for M&C Saatchi both regionally and globally, as demonstrated by the launch of our SEA hub in 2021, and the creation of this new role reflects that.”

He concluded, “Anish has built a fantastic business in Indonesia over the last 5 years with a focus on creativity and innovation for clients. I’m excited to see him bring these skills, as well as his entrepreneurial approach, to deliver growth across South East Asia.”

Previously, M&C Saatchi has also appointed its Australia Group CEO Justin Graham as its global head of advertising network.

Singapore – Validus, one of Southeast Asia’s leading all-in-one SME business account and financing platforms, has announced the appointment of Anshul Johri as its group chief technology officer (CTO), effective 5 April 2023. 

Johri brings over 17 years of technology expertise in driving growth and scale for startups and large companies across various industries and is responsible for leading the technology strategy across the region to propel Validus into its next phase of growth.

Prior to joining Validus, Johri spent six years as head of engineering at Indonesian unicorn Traveloka, where he scaled its financial services products such as payment platform, digital wallet, buy now pay later (BNPL), insurance and wealth management. Anshul’s experience spans e-commerce, travel, and fintech industries across India and SEA countries.

“Anshul’s successful and varied experience at organisations ranging from bootstrapped startups to unicorns and Fortune 50 companies makes him an invaluable addition to our executive team as we continue to drive our ambitious technology plans forward,” said Validus’ Co-founder and Executive Chairman Vikas Nahata.

He added, “We are delighted to have him on board to infuse a new energy as we execute on our key technology initiatives to build, scale, and deliver best-in-class digital financial services for small businesses across the region.”

Previously, Validus and global financial services company Citi have established a US$100m securitisation facility to drive SME financing in Southeast Asia.

Sydney, Australia – Sydney-based CRM integration agency Engaging.io has picked up a string of major new business wins and appointed experienced digital marketing entrepreneur and executive Miles Joyce as its non-executive chair ahead of international expansion. 

The global HubSpot partner has secured four new clients and will manage the implementation of HubSpot and transition away from legacy CRM platforms such as Salesforce.

In addition to ASX listed adventure tourism business, Experience Co, Engaging.io has also been appointed by global business publisher Key Media and an Australian mortgage broker and accounting software company. 

Following exponential growth, including doubling of revenue and headcount to more than 35 employees this financial year, Engaging has also appointed Miles Joyce as its first non-executive chair. Joyce is a highly respected leader in Australian advertising and marketing and across his more than 30-year career.

On working with Engaging, Joyce said, “Marketers recognise that strong martech platforms are essential to drive customised and one to one communications with existing and potential customers. Engaging has built a strong partnership with HubSpot and together with its team of specialists to deliver this capability. I look forward to working with Michelle and the team as the agency continues to growth and expand into new markets.”

Meanwhile, Michelle O’Keeffe, CEO of Engaging, commented, “HubSpot’s all-in-one platform combining marketing, sales, and service tools, makes it easier for businesses to manage their customer relationships and drive growth. The partnership has been instrumental in Engaging’s success and we look forward to working closely with our new clients to help them succeed in an ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.”

O’Keeffee added, “There are exciting times ahead for Engaging. The team continues to grow as enterprise clients recognise the expertise and service delivery we offer. Our plans are on track to expand operations to the US and having someone with Miles’ pedigree and experience in building digital agencies will prove invaluable and we are delighted to welcome him to Engaging.”

The agency’s recognition by HubSpot as a major integration partner will see Engaging expand to the US later this year, with a search underway to find its first local hire. 

Engaging, which works with enterprise clients across health, finance, property, education and alcohol categories, is an award-winning HubSpot partner for five years running.