Singapore – Media agency Wavemaker has named Sindhuja Rai as its new chief executive officer for Asia-Pacific. She is based in Singapore and reporting to global CEO Toby Jenner. Her role will take effect in September this year.
In her new role, Rai will drive the strategy and execution of how Wavemaker positively provokes growth for their clients and people around the region.
She will also join the Wavemaker Global Executive team, as well as the GroupM APAC Leadership Team ExCo, and collaborate closely with GroupM and WPP leaders across the region to connect the breadth and depth of the group’s capabilities to drive growth on behalf of Wavemaker’s clients.
Rai is recently with Mondelez International as its senior director for global media investment and AMEA consumer experience. She has been with the company for over 12 years and changed Mondelez’s media ROI, driven by creative excellence, engaging brand activation and a constant consumer centric approach.
With over 20 years in marketing, her experience also spans media agencies, amongst others Mindshare and Publicis Media.
Speaking on her new role, she said, “I’m truly excited to join the many familiar faces at Wavemaker. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed the collaborative relationship with everyone at the agency, and I’ve been impressed by its culture of positive provocation.”
She added, “I’m now looking forward to building on this established success while utilising my client experience to drive meaningful growth for Wavemaker, it’s clients and our people in the region.”
Meanwhile, Jenner commented, “I’d like to thank Mondelēz and Jon Halvorson in particular for supporting Sindhuja’s transition from Mondelēz to Wavemaker. It’s all credit to Jon how highly regarded Sindhuja is. She is smart and driven with huge integrity. She knows our business well from our relationship with Mondelēz, and her regional leadership and global sensitivity make her ideally positioned to take Wavemaker to the next level.”
Jon Halvorsen, global SVP for consumer experience at Mondelez International said, “Over the past 12 years Sindhuja has been a standout performer within the Mondelēz organization. Under her leadership we’ve consistently delivered double digit ROI growth, led the industry/region in digital excellence and pioneered critical new capabilities in consumer data, personalisation and AI.”
He added, “Her ability to drive volume and build strong brands through standout consumer experiences is unique and unparalleled. I know that in her new role she is going to be an amazing partner to many media leaders, category presidents and CMOs as she has been at Mondelēz.”
