Tag: Appointment

India – Building on the recent announcement of its new Chennai campus, WPP has unveiled plans to deepen its investment in India by scaling up its Global Delivery Centre (GDC) operations. The specialist hub, supporting WPP teams worldwide, will be headquartered in India, reinforcing the country’s strategic importance.

WPP is expanding its GDC team in India, one of its fastest-growing markets and a hub of innovation and creativity. Leveraging its 11,000-strong workforce in the country, the GDC builds on existing expertise to further strengthen WPP’s presence in the region.

The GDC employs 10,000 people globally and is key to WPP’s business transformation strategy. It offers advanced capabilities like cloud modernisation, hyper-personalisation, composable commerce, VR, XR, generative AI, and product engineering, complementing WPP’s expertise in media, content, CX, commerce, technology, data, and design.

Leading this growth is Prashant Mehta, appointed as managing director of the GDC, tasked with driving its global expansion, with India housing the majority of its talent.

Mehta, a seasoned expert in digital transformation, joins WPP from Accenture, where he served as global managing director of global assets at Accenture Song, leading its generative AI-driven asset strategy, delivery, and adoption. Previously, he held roles as global chief product and delivery officer at Dentsu Creative & Experience and group vice president at Publicis Sapient.

Speaking on his appointment, Mehta said, “It is an honour to be leading the WPP GDC, which has been built to evolve with the changing demands of our clients while delivering the highest standards of excellence. I look forward to working with our integrated teams as we harness AI and creativity to transform how we deliver growth for our clients.”

Meanwhile, Mark Read, CEO of WPP, shared, “Our Global Delivery Centre enables agency teams and their clients to tap into specialist expertise and new capabilities. It is underpinned by WPP Open, our AI-driven operating system for marketing transformation, fuelling growth and connecting the dots across our business. I welcome Prashant to WPP and look forward to working with him to develop our offering.”

CVL Srinivas, WPP’s country manager for India, added, “As we look to drive further growth and transformation in and from India, we are excited to welcome Prashant Mehta onboard. The expertise of our team in India makes it the prime location to power our clients’ needs with a scaled world-class GDC.”

As the advertising landscape continues to evolve, with new formats and media constantly emerging, out-of-home (OOH) advertising remains a key player. In a world now dominated by small screens, there is something unique in large panels planted in real-world environments, creating distinct connections with their beholder.

The widespread digitalisation adds to OOH’s powerful position, with its messaging being infused with transformative technology and new levels of creativity. With the revolution of OOH, messages have a new way to captivate and resonate with audiences.

At a time of transformation in the industry, Target Media, an OOH media platform owner, has appointed Daniel Ng as chief revenue officer.

In an exclusive interview with MARKETECH APAC, Daniel delves into his strategies to harness the power of OOH advertising while unlocking opportunities for innovation through his new role.

Prioritising data-driven innovation

At Target Media, Daniel is focusing on data-driven innovation while emphasising its potency in the industry. 

“Today, OOH is more than just placements—it’s a powerful medium that combines measurable outcomes with a real-world presence that audiences can see and trust,” Daniel said.

Building on the impact of OOH’s tangible presence, he plans to supercharge it with data and technology as his primary focus.

“By integrating audience insights, we can offer brands precision targeting and measurable ROI. This is paired with the physical visibility of OOH campaigns, which creates an undeniable and lasting impression.”

Through the physical presence of campaigns, Target Media is helping its clients forge deeper connections with audiences. Additionally, Daniel plans to diversify revenue streams through new advertising formats, cross-platform integrations, and creating partnerships.

As a leader in the company, Daniel also aims to strengthen his team, equipping them with skills to perform well and collaborate with creativity, resulting in client satisfaction.

“These strategies emphasize OOH’s distinct strength: it is both measurable through data and visible in real life, making it a uniquely powerful medium to deliver results and build trust,” he said.

Diving into OOH advertising

In his new role at Target Media, Daniel is undoubtedly taking the plunge into OOH advertising. In fact, this advertising medium and its implications are why he chose to join the company.

“What drew me most was Target Media’s unique ability to combine the tangible presence of OOH advertising with the precision of data-driven insights. Unlike purely digital formats where audiences may question the validity of metrics or feel disconnected from the message, OOH advertising is real, visible, and seamlessly embedded into people’s environments. This creates a sense of authenticity and trust for both brands and audiences,” Daniel said.

Target Media is among the leading agencies focusing OOH advertising in Singapore, with its extensive coverage of digital screens. With this, Daniel saw an opportunity, allowing him to join a company that nurtures a strong connection with the community while pushing for innovation.

“I was inspired by the chance to lead a team that bridges the gap between brands and Singapore’s heartland communities, creating value for both sides. Target Media’s vision is not just to be a media provider but to become an integral part of people’s everyday lives by delivering relevant, impactful, and tangible content,” he said.

Previously, Daniel was head of growth at Grey Group, spending more than two years in the marketing agency. In his transition from Grey, he is bringing over his learnings to Target Media,

“At Grey Group, I learned that growth is not just about acquiring new business but about building sustainable partnerships and delivering long-term value,” he said.

“Putting the client’s objectives at the heart of every decision leads to not just retention but advocacy. At Target Media, I’ll ensure that every solution we deliver is tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients while demonstrating the real-world presence of OOH campaigns,” he added.

Daniel also highlighted the importance of staying relevant through being agile, alluding to the need to infuse physical advertisements with digital features.

“I plan to embed this mindset within the team at Target Media to continuously evolve our offerings while leveraging OOH’s ability to blend physical and digital strengths,” Daniel said.

“These learnings will guide how I lead the team and craft strategies that deliver impactful and visibly effective results for our clients and Target Media,” he added.

Staying on top of trends, challenges

Amidst the dynamic advertising industry, Daniel cements his goal of combining OOH with digital to deal with competition.

“Consumers today engage with multiple touchpoints. By integrating digital technology into our OOH offerings—such as programmatic buying and interactive content—we can create holistic, multi-channel campaigns that drive stronger engagement while showcasing OOH’s tangible presence,” he explained.

“Unlike purely digital formats where ads may feel fleeting or invisible, OOH has a clear and undeniable physical presence that audiences see and interact with every day. This is a strength we will emphasize to build trust and drive engagement,” he added.

With his aim to build trust, Daniel also plans to meet the demand for transparency. By adopting advanced metrics and tools, he aims to show measurable outcomes to advertisers for accountability.

Daniel also considers sustainability initiatives in advertising and the trend of leveraging AI-driven insights, tapping into them to adapt. 

“Navigating challenges is about seeing them as opportunities to innovate, adapt, and lead in the OOH space while showcasing the medium’s real-world impact.”

Glimpse into OOH advertising future

Revolutionising the OOH industry is not simple, but already, current advertising trends are shaping its future. For media practitioners such as Daniel, there are many things to look forward to.

“The future of OOH advertising is incredibly exciting—it’s a medium that is transforming into an integral part of smart cities and connected ecosystems,” he said.

“OOH is becoming smarter, with the ability to serve hyper-targeted messages based on real-time data like footfall, demographics, and even weather conditions. Target Media’s use of precise audience data based on residency enhances the power of our physical screens.”

It is not just the trends that lead to a brighter future for OOH, but the practitioners and agencies behind it.

“At Target Media, I want to lead the charge in shaping this future by embracing technology, pushing creative boundaries, and building campaigns that are not only impactful but also physically visible and meaningful for audiences. My role is to help brands harness the unique power of OOH to build connections that last while delivering value to the communities we serve.”

By embracing data-driven innovation with his team, Daniel aims to propel into a future where OOH becomes even more impactful. As the OOH landscape continues to evolve, Daniel’s vision for measurable, powerful, and real-world activations will be crucial in fostering meaningful connections between brands and their audiences, adapting to any change.

Korea – GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, has been named L’Oréal Korea’s media partner of record, responsible for all media planning and buying activities.

GroupM was chosen by L’Oréal Korea after a competitive process, impressing with their in-depth understanding of the Korean market, strategic prowess, significant media buying power, and advanced capabilities in technology and commerce.

Michael Beecroft, GroupM’s CEO for Northeast Asia, said, “We are hugely honoured to be expanding our relationship with such an iconic and ambitious brand in such an exciting market.” 

“Korea is home to many of the world’s most sophisticated beauty consumers. We look forward to helping L’Oréal Korea meet their needs with compelling, relevant media that drives growth and innovation,” Beecroft added. 

This appointment strengthens the global relationship between L’Oréal Groupe, the world’s fourth-largest advertiser, and GroupM, expanding their partnership to over 30 markets worldwide, including the key Korean market.

Singapore – Analytic Partners, the global marketing measurement and optimisation organisation, has strengthened its Asia Pacific leadership team with the promotion of Paul Sinkinson to managing director and the appointment of Nikki Taylor as director of marketing for the region.

For nearly a decade, Sinkinson has served as Analytic Partners’ managing director for Australia, playing a crucial role in transforming the Australian office into one of the company’s most successful global markets. Under his leadership, he forged strong partnerships with major brands like McDonald’s, Woolworths, and Arnott’s, driving significant improvements in ROI and marketing effectiveness.

In his new role as managing director of APAC, Sinkinson will focus on enhancing client relationships and expanding Analytic Partners’ solutions across key markets, including Singapore, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and Korea.

Commenting on his promotion, Sinkinson said, “We’re at a pivotal moment in marketing where accurate and insightful analysis of marketing spend has never been more critical. The increasing demand for Analytic Partners’ market-leading solutions reflects this shift, and I’m excited to lead our exceptional team to help more businesses across the region unlock their growth potential.” 

“I’m excited to help drive this growth alongside our incredible team to even more businesses across the region at a time when every marketer is looking for that extra competitive advantage,” he added. 

Following Sinkinson’s promotion, Analytic Partners further strengthened its leadership team by appointing Nikki Taylor as director of marketing to drive the company’s growth in the region.

Taylor brings nearly 20 years of experience in the Asia Pacific market, including her recent role as marketing growth strategy director at UPS. She is an active member of the Global CMO Council and serves on the advisory board of BEETc, the organisers of the Martech Summit. Her expertise includes commercial analytics, marketing strategy, and team leadership.

In her newly created role, Taylor will spearhead the growth of Analytic Partners’ marketing and communications efforts in APAC. She will focus on boosting brand visibility, showcasing the value of data-driven marketing to senior business leaders, and overseeing a growing team of marketers while driving strategic partnerships across the region.

On her appointment, Taylor commented, “As a data-driven marketer, joining Analytic Partners is an incredible opportunity to help businesses unlock growth through actionable insights. I know first-hand the challenges modern marketers face, and I’m excited to help my peers deliver results that impress CFOs and drive long-term value.”

“APAC is an exciting market for marketing analytics, and I’m thrilled to be part of a team that’s driving awareness and adoption of commercial analytics as a vital step beyond traditional marketing mix modelling,” she added. 

Meanwhile, Sinkinson said, “Nikki’s appointment is a significant win for Analytic Partners. Her extensive regional experience and strategic mindset will play a crucial role in elevating our marketing capabilities. Nikki’s unique perspective as a brand-side marketer is already proving invaluable as we refine our approach to better serve our customers.” 

These appointments reinforce Analytic Partners’ commitment to enhancing its leadership and impact in the APAC region. With plans to expand its team across key markets and deliver customised analytics solutions, the company is well-positioned to drive measurable growth and deliver greater value for marketers across the region.

Nancy Smith, CEO of Analytic Partners, explained, “APAC continues to be one of our focus regions with high growth potential. These appointments reflect our commitment to investing in APAC. Paul has been a cornerstone of our success in Australia, and I am confident he will continue to drive outstanding results in his expanded role.”

Smith continued, “We’re also delighted to welcome Nikki, whose passion for data-driven marketing will help empower customers across the region. Together, with our dedicated local teams in Singapore and Shanghai, they bring the vision and leadership we need to create value for our customers.” 

Singapore – Zendesk has named technology industry veteran and customer experience expert Mitch Young as its new senior vice president for Asia Pacific, tasking him with spearheading the company’s growth across the region’s dynamic markets. 

Effective immediately, Young will lead Zendesk’s growth strategy across the Asia Pacific region, overseeing key markets such as Australia, India, Japan, Singapore, and beyond. 

Before joining Zendesk, Young held leadership roles at IBM and most recently at ServiceNow, where he successfully led the Asia Pacific region for nearly six years before taking a sabbatical.

Based in Melbourne, Young brings extensive experience in regional leadership roles. His career has taken him to Singapore and Shanghai, where he managed business growth across both mature and emerging markets in the APAC region.

Zendesk plans to leverage his vast knowledge of the region’s markets to build on one of the fastest-growing regions for the company. 

Speaking on his new role, Young shared, “This is a time of massive opportunity for us at Zendesk. As the company delivering the most comprehensive suite of AI-powered CX solutions, we are at an exciting inflection point. This aligns well with the macro opportunities in APAC, the region that is poised to deliver exponential growth in the global economy.” 

“I am excited to be here and work with our teams to support APAC businesses as they position themselves to take advantage of these growth possibilities,” he added. 

Zendesk supports brands in financial services, retail, and manufacturing across the APAC region, which is also home to engineering hubs in Melbourne and Singapore that drive global product development. Recently, the company released its CX Trends report, revealing that APAC leaders who embrace AI are 172% more likely to achieve high ROI, while 72% of consumers expect more personalised service.

Commenting on the APAC landscape, Young said, “What I find most exciting about the CX space, at this time particularly, is how AI is enabling efficiencies and productivity gains across the board. Eighty-two percent of agents in APAC believe that having an AI copilot would help them do their job better. We’re partnering with businesses whose impetus is retaining and growing their customer base, amid growing economies but also growing competition.” 

Malaysia – Tune Talk, a mobile virtual network operator, has appointed Bernard Chong as its chief marketing officer (CMO), leveraging his leadership skills to mold the brand’s growth.

As Tune Talk’s CMO, Chong will oversee the marketing, product, loyalty and insights team.

Chong has previously held multiple leadership roles. He previously served as Foodpanda’s marketing director and Zenyum’s country general manager. Through these roles, Chong has contributed to the companies’ growth in the market while forging partnerships.

Additionally, Chong has also worked with SEEK, Citi, and Accenture, specialising in advanced analytics and digital transformation.

Chong joins with comprehensive experience in B2B and B2C markets, setting him up to deliver Tune Talk’s goal of expansion while continuing to provide for its customers’ needs.

“I am thrilled to join Tune Talk at this pivotal moment in its evolution. My focus will be on delivering exceptional value to our millions of subscribers while strengthening their loyalty and engagement. Our goal is ambitious yet achievable: to double our subscriber base by 2025 through innovative strategies and customer-centric solutions,” Chong said.

South Korea – Global omnichannel media agency Assembly has announced the promotion of Vivian Mok to senior vice president and managing director for North Asia, where she will drive the agency’s strategic expansion and growth in the region.

Mok has been with Assembly since 2018, previously serving as General Manager in Korea. During her tenure, she played a key role in driving the agency’s growth by reimagining its services to better align with local market needs.

Under Mok’s leadership, Assembly Korea has evolved from a performance-focused agency into a data- and tech-driven, omnichannel powerhouse, now staffed by nearly 100 marketing professionals and offering a broad range of services, including media and business consultancy.

In her expanded role, Mok will spearhead the agency’s strategic growth and expansion across Korea and Japan, reporting directly to Richard Brosgill, CEO of Assembly APAC.

Mok’s appointment comes as Assembly’s North Asia region aims to make significant strides in the market and strengthen its proposition to drive growth and innovation for clients and brands.

“North Asia is one of Assembly’s most dynamic and strategically important regions. Vivian’s vision and capacity to challenge the traditional agency model in this highly nuanced market has already made a lasting impact and will pave the way for more strategic client and business partnerships. We are thrilled to have her take on this new position,” Brosgill said. 

Speaking on her appointment, Mok shared, “The North Asian market has been extremely resilient and has shown a promising shift over the past year as consumer confidence recovers. Our expansive global network and media expertise position us perfectly to help brands realise their local and international ambitions. I am excited to take on this new role.”

As Assembly heads into 2025, the North Asia region will play an increasingly pivotal role in the company’s global strategy. Mok’s promotion is part of a broader initiative to invest in the business, attract top talent, and drive innovation across its portfolio of global clients, including WeWork, Moncler, Gentle Monster, and more.

Singapore – Socially-led creative agency We Are Social Singapore has named Caroline So as its new head of account management, tasking her with driving client growth, leading new business development, and enhancing operational models to strengthen the agency’s service delivery.

Relocating from Shanghai, So brings over 20 years of experience managing blue-chip accounts and leading high-performing teams across Hong Kong and China. Her career spans renowned agencies such as Monks, DDB, Lowe, and McCann, where she held various senior leadership positions at both global networks and independent firms.

Additionally, So brings extensive experience working with clients across diverse industries, including FMCG, retail, beauty and personal care, automotive, and technology. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with globally recognised brands such as Burberry, Tiffany & Co., PayPal, Volvo, AB InBev, Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, Nestlé, and Unilever.

In her new role, So will lead the agency’s account teams, drive organic client growth and new business development, and design strategic operating models to enhance the delivery of We Are Social’s core services to its clients.

She will report directly to Nai Yen Wang, managing director of We Are Social Singapore.

Commenting on the appointment, Wang said, “Having previously worked with Caroline before, I know she is an incredibly effective operator and team leader. She has a proven track record for fostering strong client relationships, driving new and organic growth, and bringing a wealth of experience, especially in beauty, retail, and social commerce. We are delighted to have her join the We Are Social family.”

Meanwhile, speaking on her new role, So said, “Not only was I drawn to We Are Social’s position as a leader in socially-led creativity, but also its deep innovation expertise helping clients navigate the rapidly evolving world we live in. It is great to be able to work with Nai Yen again as well as the broader agency team and our exceptional clients.”

Shanghai, China – McCann Worldgroup China has announced that Jacqueline Wu will rejoin the agency in a dual role as president of operations for McCann Worldgroup China and CEO of Craft China, its production studio, effective immediately.

Wu previously served as managing director of Craft China, where she spent nine years building and leading the team, before transitioning to Wunderman Thompson (VML) for the past three years.

As Wu rejoins the agency, she will focus on boosting operational efficiency, driving business growth, and spearheading innovative production solutions. With a proven track record in leading and managing complex business operations, she is uniquely equipped to deliver both efficiency and innovation for the agency.

Throughout her career, Wu has worked with a diverse range of clients, from top-tier international brands to leading local enterprises. Her impressive client roster includes L’Oréal, KFC, General Motors, Coca-Cola/Sprite, Princess Cruises, J&J, Qingdao, and Richemont Group.

Speaking on her appointment, Wu stated, “The achievements of the past would not have been possible without McCann Worldgroup and Craft’s advanced management philosophy and collaboration with regional leadership. I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to work with Carter and Melissa again. They are not only my long-time colleagues but also dear friends. With their support, we can elevate McCann Worldgroup and Craft to new heights and achieve even greater success together.”

Meanwhile, Carter Chow, CEO of McCann Worldgroup Greater China, commented, “With Jacqueline’s wealth of experience, she will immediately be tasked to develop new and innovative capabilities for Craft, setting competitive industry benchmarks across all aspects of content production. At the same time, Jacqueline will lead the group’s operations team to enhance integration and operational efficiencies, leading to long-term growth for our clients.”

“China is one of our most important markets as it demands high-quality localisation, which requires tailoring not only the language but also cultural values, aesthetics, and a deep understanding of their unique digital ecosystem. This can only be achieved through strong local expertise in creative production,” added Melissa Chan, regional managing director of Craft Asia Pacific. 

Hong Kong – Publicis Groupe Hong Kong has bolstered its creative leadership by appointing João Braga as its global executive creative director, bringing his extensive global expertise and award-winning track record to the team.

In his new role, Braga will work closely with Christopher Lee, chief creative officer at Publicis Groupe Hong Kong, and report to Tom Kao, CEO of Publicis Groupe Hong Kong.

Braga, an internationally acclaimed creative leader, brings two decades of experience spanning four continents to enrich Publicis Groupe Hong Kong’s diverse creative teams and global client portfolio.

Originally from Brazil, Braga has built a distinguished career across São Paulo, Lisbon, Singapore, Bangkok, and Sydney, skilfully navigating local market nuances and creating work celebrated over 300 times at prestigious global awards, including Cannes Lions, One Show, D&AD, and the Effies.

Commenting on the appointment, Kao said, “Over the past two years, Publicis Groupe Hong Kong has enjoyed incredible momentum. Now is the perfect time to elevate our team and keep driving results for our clients through world-class creativity. With Joao’s ability to bring different backgrounds, skills, and perspectives into the room to create unexpected business solutions and Chris’ infectious energy and passion for ideas, Publicis Groupe Hong Kong will continue to be an unstoppable creative force in our region.”

Lee added, “Joao and I share the same vision to elevate the work here in Hong Kong so that it will be noticed on a global stage. With his experience and pedigree, we’ll create an environment that nurtures our teams to continue creating big ideas that can burst into popular culture. I can’t wait to show the world what we are capable of.”

With this appointment, Braga will relocate to Hong Kong after serving three years as national chief creative officer at Wunderman Thompson Australia, overseeing three offices. Prior to that, he spent six years in Southeast Asia, leading a diverse client portfolio across six markets.

Speaking on his appointment, Braga said, “There’s a real sense of opportunity, ambition, and optimism here at Publicis Groupe Hong Kong, and those ingredients combined make an incredible magnet. Tom and Chris have been doing a stellar job, so my remit is to build upon the already strong culture and impressive set of capabilities to help them shape a world-class playground for creativity and innovation out of Hong Kong. For me, this was also the perfect opportunity to partner with some amazing brands and do work that drives fame and impact at a global scale.”