Tag: Appointment

India – Dentsu India has named John Thangaraj as chief strategy officer – creative & media, reinforcing its commitment to uniting creative excellence with media effectiveness to deliver impactful client outcomes.

In his new role, Thangaraj will be tasked with bridging dentsu’s creative and media functions to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, aligning efforts with the network’s broader vision of integrated, impact-driven marketing.

A seasoned strategist with expertise in consumer insight, data-led planning, and creative development, Thangaraj is expected to bring a cohesive strategic approach across both verticals.

He previously served as chief strategy officer at Havas Creative Network, where he spearheaded campaigns that reshaped brand engagement. Prior to that, he was group chief strategy officer at FCB India, overseeing strategic direction across multiple agencies, including Ulka, Interface, India, and Kinnect.

Speaking about his appointment, Thangaraj commented, “In all honesty, I have never been more excited to begin a new role. The world has changed, and so must we. Marketing is more challenging than ever, and clients are increasingly looking for outcomes rather than outputs – sometimes driven by media and data-fuelled creativity and at other times by creative and consumer-driven media interventions.”

“By combining strategic thinking across both creative and media practices, dentsu has set the benchmark for truly outcome-based integrated marketing. This network has some of the best talent in the industry, and I’m thrilled to be part of this exceptional team. Full speed ahead! ” he added. 

Thangaraj will report to Amit Wadhwa, CEO of Dentsu Creative & Media Brands for South Asia, and Narayan Devanathan, president and chief strategy officer for South Asia.

Wadhwa said, “This role requires a unique blend of courage, humility, and trust. John brings the strategic firepower needed to drive our vision forward, along with the emotional intelligence to unify teams, challenge conventions, and inspire real progress. His ability to navigate complexity while keeping the end goal in sight makes him the ideal leader for this pivotal role.”

Devanathan added, “In a world that is sometimes foolishly obsessed with the new and shiny, it’s both refreshing and bold to recognise that challenging times don’t always call for change. They call for creativity amidst chaos, assurance amidst ambiguity, and a leader who can collect and connect dots in strikingly imaginative ways. That’s not just John’s mandate; it’s his forte. In this integrated strategy leadership role, he will be instrumental in shaping client outcomes as much as the industry’s future itself.

Indonesia – L’Oréal Luxe Indonesia has appointed Sebastian Au as its new omni-channel marketing director (CMO), with a mission to transform the luxury beauty experience in one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and rapidly growing markets.

In his role, Sebastian is focused on integrating digital and physical retail channels to create seamless, high-touch experiences that resonate with Indonesia’s modern luxury shoppers.

In an exclusive interview with MARKETECH APAC, Sebastian shared his excitement for his new role and laid out his plans to drive L’Oréal Luxe’s growth in Indonesia’s rapidly evolving retail and digital landscape.

Building luxury through every touchpoint 

For Sebastian, stepping into this new role means crafting a seamless, elevated luxury experience across both online and offline touchpoints.

“My mission is to curate the most relevant consumer engagement touchpoints through media, CRM, and advocacy, all while ensuring a consistent and premium experience,” he shared.

This approach involves driving innovative consumer journeys across retail channels while also leveraging a highly trained and engaged beauty advisor community to enhance in-store experiences.

In the short term, the focus is all about refining the marketing mix to forge a deeper connection with core audiences and to identify opportunities to drive penetration in the country’s dynamic e-commerce space.

Before his appointment, Sebastian gained extensive experience in the SAPMENA region, managing e-commerce for diverse markets from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. This experience has significantly shaped his leadership approach in Indonesia, equipping him with a deep understanding of varying consumer behaviours across different cultures. It allows him to craft marketing strategies that resonate with local needs while maintaining brand consistency across borders.

“This has reinforced my belief that everything begins with the consumer,” Sebastian explained. “As marketers, we need to deeply understand what’s in it for our target audience when we design consumer journeys—whether online or offline.”

A youthful market with limitless potential

When asked about what excites him most about Indonesia, Sebastian highlighted the country’s immense potential, particularly in the luxury beauty sector, which remains a niche with significant room for growth. Indonesia, with its large and youthful population, presents an exciting challenge for marketers like him. “

This brings an exciting challenge for marketers such as myself to connect with local consumers in meaningful ways—not just by building aspiration for our brands, but more importantly, establishing trust and credibility by leveraging our strong scientific backing across a diverse set of touchpoints,” he explained.

Sebastian describes Indonesian consumers as highly social, with a strong appetite for short-form content and e-commerce channels, yet they also crave personal connections and physical experiences. For him, this dual demand calls for a truly “phygital” approach—a seamless blend of digital and physical experiences.

Despite the digital boom, physical retail remains crucial, especially as malls continue to serve as hubs for social interaction. “With malls as key social spaces and e-commerce rapidly advancing, my goal is to elevate L’Oréal Luxe’s physical retail experiences to a point of experience (POE) where they coexist harmoniously with online platforms,” he said.

Crafting emotional stories through data and creativity

For Sebastian, striking the right balance between data-driven decision-making and emotional storytelling is essential.

“Creativity is powerful, but it only makes an impact when it lands well,” he said. “To achieve that, we need to understand the needs and preferences of our target audience and deliver the message through the touchpoints they use, in formats that truly resonate.”

This approach enables the creation of emotionally compelling stories that connect deeply with consumers.

Shaping the future of beauty

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, Sebastian revealed that he is particularly excited about the potential of AI to transform the beauty and luxury industry in Indonesia. With a loyal consumer base already driving trends, leveraging real-time data from various touchpoints will be key.

“AI will allow us to analyse large amounts of data in real-time, enabling us to adjust our digital assets and product details dynamically, ensuring we stay ahead of the trends,” he explained.

He’s also looking forward to solutions that can empower L’Oréal Luxe’s Beauty Advisors, equipping them with real-time insights—such as trending keywords across platforms—to deliver more personalised consultations in-store.

But for Sebastian, the vision goes far beyond just driving sales. It’s about redefining the luxury experience by merging digital innovation with physical retail in a way that deeply resonates with consumers. His mission is to lead a bold reimagining of the consumer journey through innovative, omnichannel solutions that set new standards for luxury beauty in Indonesia.

“Since being a teenage boy, it has been my dream and aspiration to become the CMO of a leader in luxury. Thus, I am honoured and energised to take on this opportunity and to join the amazing team of Limitless L’Oréal Luxe Indonesia,” he shared.

“Together we have a lot of opportunities to unlock the greatest omni-consumer experience in the luxury beauty industry in this dynamic market,” Sebastian concluded.

Hong Kong – Creative agency TBWA Hong Kong has named Ida Mak as its new general manager. This marks Mak’s return to the agency, having previously served as its group account director and senior account manager.

Mak brings over 20 years of experience in agency work, having led campaigns for global brands and held leadership roles.

Her expertise lies in branding, marketing, digital and social campaigns, shopper marketing, and event management. She has experience handling markets such as Hong Kong, China, and Asia-Pacific.

Prior to her appointment at TBWA, Mak held the role of head of account management at Sunny Idea Hong Kong. During her stint, she played a key role in building the agency’s creative solutions department. She has also led campaigns for brands like Fonterra, HSBC Life, and General Mills.

“Ida’s exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and deep understanding of the industry make her the ideal person to lead TBWA Hong Kong into its next phase of growth. Her ability to build strong client relationships and deliver outstanding results aligns perfectly with TBWA’s ethos of disruption and innovation,” Joanne Lao, CEO of TBWA Greater China, said.

Mak commented, “I’m excited to return to TBWA Hong Kong, a place that has always been close to my heart. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team here and driving impactful work that challenges conventions and delivers value for our clients.”

Singapore – Meta has named Nicole Tan its new country director for Singapore, effective June 2, 2025.

In her new role, Tan is responsible for digital empowerment and innovation, leveraging AI to grow businesses in Singapore, supporting its digital economy.

Tan brings over 25 years of experience, with expertise in business leadership, strategic growth, and community engagement.

Before the appointment, Tan led Meta’s operations in Malaysia, advancing digital adoption, forging partnerships, and driving growth for nine years.

She has also held leadership roles at JWT Malaysia before joining Meta.

“Nicole has a deep understanding of what businesses and communities across Southeast Asia need to thrive in a digital world. I’m confident that her experience and inclusive approach will provide strong leadership in shaping our next chapter in Singapore – an important hub for innovation and regional collaboration,” Benjamin Joe, vice president, Southeast Asia and emerging markets at Meta, said.

Tan commented, “Singapore is a dynamic market that is spearheading Southeast Asia’s digital transformation. I’m excited to work with the team and our partners here to help more people and businesses unlock growth through technology and build meaningful connections in the digital economy.”

Last year, Meta unveiled ‘Movie Gen,’ an AI-powered tool to help creatives generate video and audio based on prompts.

Singapore – Media company Media Publishares has appointed key leaders to usher growth and innovation into the company. The company, in its commitment to share stories through innovation, has announced three appointments in March 2025.

Media Publishares has named Bettina von Schlippe its vice president of business development and innovation and publisher-at-large of Vogue Singapore. Natasha Damodaran has been appointed publisher of Vogue Singapore and Alexander Trefilov as vice president of corporate finance, investor relations, growth strategy and business intelligence.

Schlippe, formerly the publisher of Vogue Singapore, brings over two decades of experience handling markets such as Russia, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. In her new role, Schlippe will forge strategic partnerships for Vogue Singapore while spearheading business development initiatives for Media Publishares.

Additionally, Schlippe founded communications agency RSVP, which merged with Media Publishares to launch strategic platform ‘Beyond the Boardroom.’

Meanwhile, Damodaran was elevated from her former role as managing director of Media Publishares. Leveraging her 10 years of experience in media and marketing, she is set to strengthen the presence of Vogue, driving impactful content and advancing its mission.

Trefilov previously served as group COO/CFO at the company. Bringing his expertise in finance, strategic planning, and operational excellence, he will focus on corporate finance while leading investor relations. He is responsible for maintaining the company’s financial resilience.

Media Publishares, based in Singapore, also has offices in Malaysia and Vietnam. Besides Vogue Singapore, it also publishes Robb Report Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Buro Malaysia.

Singapore – Sony Music Entertainment (SME) has named Kevin Foo its managing director for Southeast Asia (SEA), effective immediately. Foo is set to oversee the company’s operations across the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.

In his appointment, Foo will spearhead SME’s growth and engagement strategy while promoting artist development in key SEA markets. He is responsible for leading SME’s team, including general managers and other leaders.

Foo has held leadership roles in the music industry. Prior to the appointment, he served as managing director of RCA Records Greater China and general manager of SME Taiwan. Before joining SME, he led Beep Studios and co-founded indie label Umami Records.

Through the appointment, SME is strengthening its presence in a fast-moving market with Foo advancing SME’s vision in SEA for a strong local music ecosystem.

“Kevin has a unique ability to connect artists, markets, and audiences in ways that drive both commercial and cultural impact. His deep understanding of the region, coupled with his passion for artist development, makes him an ideal leader to shape the next phase of our Southeast Asia strategy,” Shridhar Subramaniam, president, Asia and Middle East of Sony Music Entertainment, said.

Foo commented, “I am honoured to take on this new role and look forward to building on SME’s strong foundation in the region. This is an exciting time for music in the region as we see local music like P-pop, Dangdut, and T-pop expand their reach internationally. I hope to work with our incredible artists and teams to create new opportunities, amplify voices, and shape the future of music here.”

Philippines – Omnicon Media Group (OMG) Philippines has announced new appointments to boost its leadership team. The media company has named Warren Armada as investment head and Maita Consulta as head of data and analytics.

The appointments, effective immediately, are part of OMG Philippines’ strategy to strengthen its investment and analytics capabilities.

Armada returns to the company to spearhead strategic planning, execution, and media campaigns performance. He is responsible for enhancing OMG Philippines’ digital services and optimising media investments.

He brings his expertise across digital and media strategy, business development, event activations, and marketing.

Meanwhile, Consulta is set to lead the company’s data and analytics team, leveraging data-driven insights for marketing efforts. She will also serve as an advisor to enhance clients’ strategies through research and innovation.

Consulta brings over three decades of experience in communications strategy, able to turn complex data into actionable insights.

Mary Buenaventura, president and CEO at OMG Philippines, said, “Warren and Maita are both trusted leaders in the industry, and I’m genuinely excited to have them join our leadership team. Warren’s deep understanding of our culture and Maita’s sharp strategic lens will no doubt strengthen how we deliver value to our clients. More than anything, I look forward to their impact—not just in the work we do, but in how they’ll help grow and inspire our teams. Their experience is a great addition to OMG’s Agency as a Platform proposition, which we will continue optimising to deliver transformative growth for our clients and our business.”

“Going back to OMG is like going back home. Working with the ever-evolving media as a touchpoint and understanding how it is consumed is like going into the familiar yet unknown—that is what excites me the most. With my new role as Investment Head, I hope to impart my previous experiences from different facets of marketing as we deliver efficiency, effectiveness, and sufficiency to our clients. A partner with one goal in mind, I aim to deliver what is best for our clients and my home agency, OMG,” Armada commented.  

Consulta said, “I am thrilled to start a new chapter in my professional story as Head of Data and Analytics at OMG Philippines. What infinitely excites me is stewardship of a craft that plays a significant role in ushering marketing communications to new heights in both planning and accountability. On top of that, I am honoured to be leading a team of progressive talents who are passionate about figuring out innovations in this area, ultimately to help OMG drive our clients’ success.”

Singapore – Omnicon Media Group (OMG) agency OMD Singapore has named Adamson Alagan its general manager. Alagan has been promoted from his previous role as regional business director of OMD APAC and Singapore.

In his new role, Alagan will focus on managing OMD’s operations in Singapore, including its client relationships and talent.

Having over a decade of experience in different markets, Alagan brings his expertise in integrated marketing and branding, along with his ability to integrate data to improve brands’ connection with consumers.

Having served as OMD’s regional business director since 2021, Alagan has spearheaded digital transformations for major clients through innovative solutions. He led initiatives to retain OMD’s clients, highlighting its operational excellence and innovation. 

Chloe Neo, CEO of OMG Singapore said, “Since joining us, Adamson has successfully driven our transformation agenda and led the teams at OMD to push boundaries in innovation, data, and tech. His tenacious attitude, together with OMG’s Agency as a Platform proposition, will help drive OMD Singapore to the next level of growth, helping our teams and clients disrupt the status quo and create what’s next.”

Alagan commented, “I thank the OMG Singapore leadership and our clients for their support and trust in my role to deliver cutting-edge media creativity and innovation. My priorities are clear: to increase focus on network connectivity for our clients, help them cut out the noise to maximise their budgets, and continue attracting and retaining the best talent. As our clients’ trusted agency partner, we believe in the importance of co-creating solutions with them to create what’s next in this evolving industry. With the strong team at OMD Singapore, I am confident we will continue to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients, our business, and our people.”

India – DDB Mudra Group has announced the appointment of Sanchari Chakrabarty as senior vice president and head of strategy at 22feet Tribal WW, marking her return to the agency after several years in senior strategic roles across the industry.

Chakrabarty, a seasoned strategist with extensive experience in building brand narratives, returns to the agency after more than a decade-long stint earlier in her career.

Her professional journey includes key roles at agencies such as Tilt Brand Solutions and Leo Burnett, where she developed her expertise in strategic and creative problem-solving across a range of industries. She has worked on campaigns for major brands including Stayfree, Netflix, Instagram, Meta, Crunchyroll, Myntra, and Meesho.

Chakrabarty’s leadership has been recognised through her participation in DDB Worldwide’s High Performance League and the Phyllis Project, a global initiative aimed at advancing women in leadership within the network.

She is also known for her contribution to “Project Free Period,” a campaign that tackled social taboos and received recognition at Cannes Lions for four consecutive years. Her work has been acknowledged at other industry award shows such as WARC, Effies India, and the London International Awards.

Commenting on her return, Sanchari said, “22feet Tribal WW is driven by people who are deeply passionate and show childlike enthusiasm for creativity that works. And I am excited to join this bunch and create work that shapes culture in real time. I’ve always been curious about people and all things that influence their journeys. In this stint, I’m looking forward to move people meaningfully along these journeys and finding fresh ways to build connections.”

Vanaja Pillai, President, 22feet Tribal WW, added, “Sanchari’s return holds a special place in my heart. She brings with her invaluable brand thinking and strategy fundamentals that will provide the shot in the arm we need to take our brands to the next stage of growth. And as a Phyllis India alumna, it is an honour to welcome her back to our leadership team, making it stronger than ever before.”

India – Havas India has named industry veteran Prashanth Challapalli as chief digital & innovation officer for Havas Creative Network India, a newly created role aimed at accelerating digital transformation and innovation across the agency’s operations.

In this newly created role, Challapalli will be responsible for integrating emerging technologies with creative strategy, with a focus on developing digital-first solutions and evolving brand storytelling across the network.

Challapalli brings over 25 years of experience across advertising, digital, entertainment, and consulting. His background spans digital transformation, content strategy, and brand innovation, having led teams, overseen business operations, and worked on campaigns for both local and global brands.

He was previously the founder and CEO of Gravity Integrated, a consultancy focused on business and marketing strategy, where he advised clients such as Amazon Pay, Google, and Tata Motors. Prior to that, he held senior leadership roles at agencies including Publicis, Leo Burnett Orchard, and iContract, where he led major digital initiatives.

Speaking on his appointment, Challapalli shared, “We live in the ‘Attention Economy’, where AI-driven content is reshaping brand narratives and business outcomes. While creativity remains key, innovation now extends beyond advertising. Havas’ integrated model fosters digital, media, culture, and creativity, with Converged, its AI-driven OS, further enhancing this synergy. I’m excited to join a network that pushes boundaries and sets new creative benchmarks, working with leadership to shape a fresh narrative for Havas, its brands, and its people.”

Challapalli will work closely with Sanchita Roy, chief strategy officer at Havas Media India, Rohan Chincholi, chief digital officer at Havas Media India, and other senior leaders across the network to support the adoption of Converged OS and its associated strategies within Havas Creative Network India.

Based in Mumbai, he will report to Rana Barua, group CEO of Havas India, SEA, and North Asia.

Barua commented, “Innovation is no longer an option; it is imperative. The creative industry is undergoing a seismic shift driven by technology, data, and consumer behaviour. Prashant will work closely with network leaders to drive the convergence of creative, media, and health, powered by data-driven innovation and technology, while seamlessly integrating storytelling to enhance impact.”