Tag: Appointment

Singapore – Global socially-led creative agency We Are Social has named Anton Reyniers as the new head of strategy for its Singapore office, succeeding James Honda-Pinder, who will relocate to Tokyo in October to assume the newly created role of head of growth APAC.

A recognised leader in creative and communications strategy, Reyniers brings two decades of experience spanning agency and client roles across APAC, the UK, and most recently, the Middle East. He returns to Singapore following his tenure as head of strategy at Impact BBDO in Dubai.

Over his career, Reyniers has held key roles at top global companies, including Netflix, where he led regional partner marketing creative for APAC, and Google, where he served as head of creative agency partnerships for the region. He has also driven creative strategies at leading agencies such as BBH, JWT, and Ogilvy, working with major clients like Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Lux, and the Singapore Tourism Board. During his time in Jakarta, Reyniers also chaired the Account Planning Group (APG) in Indonesia.

Speaking about his appointment, Reyniers stated, “The agency landscape now has two very extreme poles. Those that are nose-diving and those that are ascending. It was absolutely clear when speaking with Nai Yen and Kelson that We Are Social is very much in the latter. I feel very lucky to have joined such a great, nice, fast-thinking, and future-facing gang. I look forward to being part of an agency that delivers on the digital expertise and transformation our clients deserve.”

Nai Yen Wang, managing director of We Are Social Singapore, also commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Anton and his strategic and regional expertise to the We Are Social family. Anton comes with the perfect blend of agency and client-side experience, offering incredible insights into delivering transformative social-led marketing solutions for our clients. He is a great collaborator and business partner, and I look forward to driving the next wave of growth with him. I would like to thank James for his contribution to the agency over the last few years and wish him good luck as he steps into his exciting new role within the network.”

We Are Social Singapore, with a team of 80, works with brands like Samsung Mobile, HBO, UOB, and TikTok. The agency is renowned for its innovation, including virtual influencer creation, social-first production, and the development of AI and XR products for its global strategy and innovation arm, .XYZ.

Australia – To bolster its direct-to-consumer strategy, Levi Strauss & Co. has appointed commercial leader Jude Celedin as the new general manager for the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) market.

In his new role, Celedin will lead the sustainable growth of LS&Co.’s flagship brands, including Levi’s®, in the ANZ region, playing a key role in advancing the company’s direct-to-consumer strategy.

Celedin is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With a proven track record in leadership, Celedin has successfully driven commercial growth across both national and international markets. Prior to joining LS&Co., he was head of customer experience at Wesfarmers CSBP Fertilisers, where he spearheaded a cultural and performance shift in the sales and customer service functions. 

Celedin also brings with him 24 years of experience from global sportswear giant Nike, where he held several senior leadership roles, including his last position as senior director of the global marketplace for Nike Women and Sportswear. In this capacity, he was instrumental in achieving double-digit growth for the global Nike Women’s business by implementing a multi-channel, cross-functional strategy tailored to the evolving needs of trend-driven female consumers. 

Speaking on his appointment, Celedin said, “I am honoured to be joining LS&Co., as the company doubles down on its DTC-first strategy globally. I’m excited to work together with my talented colleagues in Australia and New Zealand to further establish Levi’s® as a leading denim lifestyle brand. Together, we will focus on bringing the best of our brand to our consumers here in ANZ.”

Meanwhile, Nuholt Huisamen, senior vice president and managing director for East Asia Pacific at LS&Co., commented, “I am delighted to welcome Jude to the team. His solid track record in the marketplace, category, and channel, coupled with his extensive knowledge of the ANZ market, make him the ideal candidate to drive our DTC-first strategy in this key growth region.” 

“We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to strengthen our market position in Australia and New Zealand as a global denim lifestyle leader, while ultimately building deeper connections with local Levi’s® fans,” Huisamen added. 

Singapore – Golin, a global public relations agency under the Interpublic Group, has announced the promotion of Shouvik Prasanna Mukherjee to executive vice president for global creative innovation, effective immediately. 

In his new role, Mukherjee will spearhead the development of innovative products and proprietary solutions designed to drive growth for clients, the agency, and the broader industry. He will focus on enhancing the agency’s offerings by advancing cutting-edge solutions, products, and services tailored to the needs of its client portfolio.

Since joining Golin in 2011, Mukherjee has held various creative leadership roles, most recently overseeing APAC-wide creative efforts for major clients like Allianz, Disney+, Harley-Davidson, Hyatt, McDonald’s, and Uber. He is also known for driving successful innovations within the agency’s global network, including the ‘Executive Impact Matrix’ and AI Incubator ‘SPARK’.

Mukherjee’s appointment coincides with his ongoing role as Golin APAC’s chief creative officer. He will also continue to lead the agency’s Creative Intelligence Unit, a division of data analytics pioneers and creative visionaries who blend analytics and measurement expertise with cutting-edge creative and content strategies.

Speaking on his appointment, Mukherjee said, “I’m excited to bring the Asian perspective to Golin’s global portfolio and influence clients at scale. Creating change that matters stems from being at the forefront of culture and creative disruption. In collaboration with my partners on Golin’s innovation council, we are committed to delivering solutions that will shape the future of our client business.” 

Mukherjee will report to Darren Burns, president of APAC, and will also collaborate with Ginger Porter, global chief client officer and chair of the Innovation Council.

Burns shared, “Expanding Shouvik’s contribution to Golin globally comes so naturally, building off the consecutive  successes he has spearheaded. Shouvik’s appointment in this role, based out of Asia, underlines Golin’s commitment to being a truly global agency, and I am confident that the advancements he will make on the global stage will be electrifying.” 

Porter added, “I’m beyond excited to work closely with Shouvik in his new position as we inspire, design, and lead efforts to help our clients solve challenges and seize opportunities in the vanguard of their market. We need to stay ahead of culture,, technology and trends in order to do the best work of our lives, and Shouvik has a proven track record of keeping us and our clients frontfooted on that journey.” 

Singapore – Omnicom Media Group Singapore (OMG Singapore) has promoted Jourdan Tan to general manager of digital capabilities and transformation, tasking him with spearheading the company’s digital evolution and enhancing its SEO, programmatic, performance hub, and planning and supply capabilities.

Tan was most recently OMG Singapore’s head of digital transformation and capabilities, and prior to that, he was head of performance. Under his leadership, his team doubled in size while maintaining strong retention and succession rates, showcasing his ability to attract, develop, and advance top talent in the digital landscape.

He also established a task force to foster the growth of OMG Singapore’s digital community and leads quarterly digital sessions to keep teams updated with the latest industry insights.

In his new role, Tan will leverage his vast experience to oversee OMG Singapore’s digital capabilities, driving best practices, talent expansion, and knowledge development.

Tan is part of the OMG Singapore executive committee, comprising CEO Chloe Neo, CFO Reynold Seah, head of investments and commercial Anita Yeong, OMD Singapore CEO Sadhan Mishra, and PHD Singapore MD Sumiati Hashim, and will continue working with them to steer the Singapore operations.

Commenting on the promotion, Neo said, “Jourdan’s ability to harness the power of digital capabilities across a diversified group of thriving talent, innovative products, and solutions reflects his comprehensive understanding of the digital ecosystem as well as his future forward leadership. His leadership and generative mindset have been instrumental in the organisation’s digital transformation.” 

Neo added, “OMG Singapore is riding on the wave of success, having risen a notch to #2 in both COMvergence and RECMA 2023 Billings Rankings, with a significant share in non-traditional billings. This is a testament to OMG’s suite of advanced capabilities and future-facing solutions, which we have continually invested in and established over the years. I congratulate Jourdan on this well-deserved promotion and look forward to working with him and the Singapore executive committee to take OMG to greater heights.”

Also speaking on his promotion, Tan shared, “I am honoured to take on the role of General Manager of Digital Transformation and Capabilities. As we navigate this ever-evolving digital landscape, our growth mindset will be our compass, guiding us to adapt and innovate for the future. Our focus is on delivering robust capabilities with cutting-edge technology and data, ensuring operational excellence at every step. But at the heart of this transformation journey is our commitment to nurturing our people and talents, as they are the true drivers of our success.”

India – Brand consulting firm Landor has announced the promotion of Lulu Raghavan as its new president for Asia Pacific. 

In her new role, Raghavan will lead a diverse and talented team of creative professionals across APAC, fostering a high-performance culture and extraordinary creativity to drive business growth.

With 23 years of experience at Landor, Lulu Raghavan brings a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the branding industry. Throughout her tenure, she has held various roles across several key markets, including San Francisco, New York, London, and Mumbai.

Raghavan will remain based in Mumbai and report to Christian Schroeder, global president of Landor.

Schroeder said, “We are very excited to see Lulu step into the APAC President role. Her extensive experience, dedication, and innovative approach make her the perfect fit to lead the region. I am personally delighted for Lulu, and confident that she will continue to drive growth and excellence across our APAC offices.”

Also speaking on her promotion, Raghavan shared, “I am honoured to take on the role of President for the APAC region. This is an exciting time for Landor, and I am eager to build on our strong foundation and continue to drive innovation and growth. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams across APAC to deliver exceptional value to our clients.”

China – Edelman China has named Xiaoyan Wang as its new health lead. In her new role, Wang will spearhead the development of the firm’s health sector vision, uniting teams across various disciplines to deliver specialised and strategic solutions for client challenges.

Wang brings nearly 25 years of experience in pharmaceuticals and marketing, encompassing consumer health, medical communications, branding, advertising, and digital innovation. Her extensive and diverse background makes her a valuable asset to Edelman China.

With a strong personal interest in public health, Wang believes that effective and empathetic communication is a key driver in improving health outcomes for all. She has collaborated with numerous leading life sciences companies, and in her previous agency roles, she successfully built high-performing teams from the ground up, achieving rapid revenue growth and establishing best-in-class healthcare solutions in China.

Speaking on her appointment, Wang said, “The healthcare industry is currently undergoing a period of great change, as we face challenges and opportunities such as pressure on drug prices, increased regulation, and accelerated innovation. In this period of transition, I’m delighted to join Edelman and provide health clients with strategic solutions that enhance health outcomes. I also look forward to contributing to Edelman’s continuous development of the health sector.”

Also commenting on the appointment, Will Collie, vice chair of health in Asia Pacific at Edelman, stated, “Xiaoyan has solid business management skills and market development capabilities, and her joining is undoubtedly a great addition to Edelman. Importantly, Xiaoyan’s track record of working with international health brands will be of significant importance to clients in China.” 

“Edelman’s internationally connected business and communications consulting teams will be a key differentiator in Edelman’s approach to serving clients in the health sector. Xiaoyan completes our efforts to have senior leaders in every major market across Asia and the Pacific. We believe she will continue to bring her professional strengths into full play in the future and strive to enhance Edelman’s integrated communication capabilities in the healthcare field, expanding business possibilities,” Collie added. 

Singapore – GumGum, the global digital advertising platform known for its contextual-first approach, has bolstered its executive team by appointing Kerel Cooper as the new chief marketing officer (CMO).

As the new CMO, Cooper will spearhead GumGum’s global marketing strategy, enhance brand and agency adoption with GumGum’s cutting-edge advertising solutions, and propel the company’s overall growth. His ad tech expertise will be vital in addressing the challenges and seizing opportunities in the digital advertising sector.

Cooper joins GumGum from Group Black, where he was president of advertising, championing the growth of Black-owned media. Before that, he spent seven years at LiveIntent, progressing from vice president of platform development to chief marketing officer.

His industry experience is further enriched by his role as an adjunct professor at Kean University, where he teaches ‘Sports Marketing and Digital Marketing Strategies’ to both undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, Cooper co-founded the Minority Report Podcast.

Cooper shared, “I’m excited to join GumGum and lead the marketing efforts for a company at the forefront of contextual intelligence and innovation in advertising. GumGum’s unique approach aligns with my vision of creating meaningful and impactful connections for all audiences, everywhere. I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success and growth while expanding global awareness of mindset-first advertising.”

Meanwhile, Phil Schraeder, CEO of GumGum, said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Kerel as our new CMO. This is a game-changing moment for us at such a transformational time at GumGum. Kerel’s unparalleled expertise in ad tech is exactly what we need to skyrocket our growth. With his leadership, we’re set to revolutionise our mindset-first approach and turbocharge our ability to help our clients reach and support all audiences.”

Singapore – International communications agency Milk & Honey PR has announced the appointment of Richard Bagnall as its new group non-executive director (NED) to provide strategic advisory services to the agency’s operations in Singapore, the UK, the US, and Germany.

Bagnall, previously Chair of AMEC, recently concluded his tenure as co-CEO of CARMA, a position he held since October 2018. Additionally, he has served as a Cabinet Office advisor, contributing to the evaluation council for over 11 years.

As a seasoned global expert in media intelligence, data analytics, and communications evaluation, Bagnall will provide strategic guidance across offices in Singapore, the UK, the US, and Germany. His focus will be on enhancing evaluation and data analytics practices while leveraging his extensive experience in scaling organisations worldwide.

This ongoing upleveling of the company’s offer comes hot on the heels of the formation of NU, a new technology and AI division led by Sanjiv Winayak; the imPACT sustainability division led by Kirsty Howe; and a newly created broadcast offer headed by Lewis Oakley.

In his new role, Bagnall will report directly to the founder and group CEO, Kirsty Leighton. He will also serve as a board advisor alongside Claire Lematta, who has been with the business since April 2023. 

Commenting on the appointment, Leighton said, “Richard brings the perfect blend of agency leadership, data analytics and measurement expertise, and passion for client service excellence. He will play a pivotal role in the continued growth of our purpose and sustainability offering, and more importantly, in the demonstration of return on investment,” said Leighton. 

Also speaking on his new role, Bagnall shared, “Milk & Honey has stood out to me as a brilliant business for a long time. The agency’s multi-award-winning team, approach to doing good business, and fact that it is majority employee-owned make it so incredibly differentiated. ESG communications have never been more important, and in the next 12 months we expect increased scrutiny, particularly as new regulations will pose challenges when it comes to greenwashing. However, there will also be new opportunities to ensure the integrity of the stories being told. I can’t wait to get stuck in this exciting new role and be part of Milk & Honey’s ongoing success.”

Shanghai, China – McCann Worldgroup China has announced the appointment of Carter Chow as its new CEO for Greater China. 

A highly regarded leader with over 20 years of experience, Chow is rejoining McCann Worldgroup for his second stint. He previously served as the managing director of McCann Worldgroup’s Shanghai office before advancing to the role of chief marketing officer for McCann Worldgroup Greater China.

Chow returns to McCann Worldgroup after an eight-year absence, during which he held several prominent positions: China CEO of J. Walter Thompson, China CEO and Greater China CEO for Wunderman Thompson, and most recently, president of VML.

The McCann Worldgroup network in Greater China includes McCann, MRM, and CRAFT. Chow’s appointment as CEO for Greater China marks a pivotal moment of growth for the network, underscoring its dedication to fostering creativity and innovation within the Chinese market.

Ghassan Harfouche, president of McCann Worldgroup APMENA, commented, “I am delighted that Carter is returning to us to take up the reins of our Greater China operations. Carter brings a unique blend of leadership, strategic vision, and a deep understanding of the Chinese market, along with a proven track record of success. This makes him the ideal candidate to lead our operations in one of the most dynamic and important regions globally.”

Also speaking on his appointment, Carter said, “I’m so pleased to be re-joining such an iconic advertising and marketing brand that’s been so close to my heart. The Chinese market presents immense opportunities, and I am committed to leveraging the strengths of the McCann Worldgroup network and to fostering innovation to enhance our capabilities and offer best-in-class services to our clients.” 

Singapore – Edelman Singapore has appointed Daniel Ko as its new executive creative director to spearhead the firm’s creative team and offerings in Singapore. 

In this role, Ko will bring his breadth of specialist experience to deliver Edelman’s brand of earned creative value for a diverse portfolio of clients. He will join the firm’s Singapore leadership team led by CEO Julia Wei and will be part of Edelman’s regional creative community led by APAC chief creative officer Tim Green. 

With over two decades of experience, Ko has gained acclaim for his innovative campaigns for Income, Google, POSB, DBS, Heineken, Tiger Beer, GIC, and HPB. His work has been recognised on local, regional, and global platforms. Additionally, he has contributed to elevating Singapore’s marketing industry standards by serving as a judge at prestigious local award shows, including The Gongs, Hall of Fame, and Crowbars.

Ko joins Edelman Singapore from Accenture Song, where he served as creative director for two years. Leading the tech-powered creative group, he spearheaded transformative campaigns that addressed business challenges through integrated solutions in advertising, branding, digital, PR & activation, marketing strategy, and innovation.

His previous roles include group creative director at 72 and Sunny, creative director at The Secret Little Agency, and creative group head at Iris Worldwide. He has also held key creative positions at renowned agencies, including BBH, DDB, and Publicis. 

Speaking on the appointment, Green said, “Ko’s impressive creative career involves a unique blend of storytelling, story-doing, branding, and business transformation—all skills critical in an era of ‘Trust in Crisis’, when attention alone isn’t enough to mobilise audiences. We are thrilled to welcome him aboard Edelman as we forge ahead to unlock the power of earned creativity to change the world.”

Also commenting on his new role, Ko shared, “I am thrilled to join Edelman Singapore to contribute to its continued innovation and growth. Edelman has consistently pushed the boundaries of creative excellence and set new standards for earned creativity. I look forward to joining this talented community to craft compelling, transformative, and effective programmes that help our clients win with their audiences.”

Edelman Singapore is home to over 120 consultants and serves as one of four global hubs for the network. This year, the firm recorded its strongest showing at The Cannes Lions Awards 2024, winning a Titanium Lion, four Gold Lions, six Silver Lions and five Bronze Lions for nine separate client campaigns from EMEA, North America and APAC.