Tag: Appointment

Singapore – VaynerMedia has welcomed Jon Kee as its new head of client partnership for the Asia Pacific region, aiming to strengthen and enhance the agency’s client relationships. 

In his new role, Kee will be pivotal in strengthening and building key partnerships for VaynerMedia, further driving the agency’s integrated offerings and ‘social-at-the-centre’ approach across the region. 

With over two decades of experience in the digital, advertising, media, and entertainment industries, Kee is a seasoned business leader renowned for forging strategic C-level partnerships and spearheading successful sales, business development, and marketing initiatives.

His professional journey took him through dynamic companies such as Disney, Meta, and Yahoo, spanning growth markets across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. 

Tim Lindley, managing director of VaynerMedia Asia Pacific, said, “Jon is a rare find—a seasoned marketer and business leader with a futuristic vision and remarkable humility. He will be a crucial bridge between us and our client partners. These relationships are frequently tested; driving change requires bravery and commitment from our clients and empathy and hard work from our team.” 

He continued, “I am particularly excited about his non-traditional background, as it means that he hasn’t been shaped by conventional advertising agency norms. This allows him to approach the future unencumbered by outdated preconceptions. I have no doubt that Jon’s unique perspective will propel VaynerMedia to new heights across the region.”

Jon assumes his role with immediate effect and reports to Lindley. He will succeed Shrey Khetarpal, who recently took on a new role as head of consulting for Asia Pacific at VaynerMedia. 

“I also want to take a moment to thank Shrey, who has built a brilliant foundation for Jon to build upon. Shrey moves to lead our consulting division and will be a key partner to Jon as we embark on the next stage of our journey,” Lindley added. 

Talking about his appointment, Kee shared, “My two-decade career has always been aligned around digital; it made perfect sense to join a culture that is trailblazing and rewriting marketing with social at its core. The agency’s authentic, people-centric focus and Gary’s visionary leadership in driving accountable business results are truly game-changing. The exciting growth in APAC under the leadership of Tim has been particularly exciting, and I am thrilled to join VaynerMedia Asia Pacific and continue being part of that evolution.”

Australia – Creative innovation company R/GA has elevated Ben Miles to the newly established role of chief design officer for APAC, where he will spearhead design innovation across the region.

In his new role, Miles will enhance R/GA’s craftsmanship, strategic thinking, and output to achieve world-class, innovative design across APAC. He will focus on expanding the region’s design disciplines in branding, experience, and communications practices, working closely with multidisciplinary leaders in each market to realise this vision.

Miles previously served as the VP and executive creative director of brand design for APAC. Renowned as a global design leader, he is recognised for driving transformative brand work and fostering a positive company culture while championing impactful ideas rooted in a deep understanding of human behaviour.

At R/GA, Miles has built a diverse and innovative team that includes some of APAC’s top brand, visual, verbal, and strategic designers. They collectively advocated the idea that brands should actively shape culture rather than just exist within it.

Miles’ leadership has been recognised with prestigious awards, and his impact extends to shaping and enhancing brands across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, including notable names like Telstra, Westpac, Powerhouse Museum and City of Sydney, Google, Nike, UOB, SingLife, IGA, Toll, SKY NZ, Foxtel, Cotton On Group, Huffer, Fed Square, Bailey Nelson, ZIG (part of CDG), Timberland, and The Prince Akatoki, as well as numerous startups. 

Speaking on his promotion, Miles said, “I joined R/GA because they intersect design and technology, and through our creative innovation model, design isn’t just visual—it’s a mindset. Design elevates businesses, equipping them with the tools to solve today’s most pressing issues and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. It navigates complexity by strengthening connections across sectors and empowering organisations to reimagine brands in innovative ways. I’m honoured by the trust R/GA has put in me to elevate our capabilities across the region.” 

Meanwhile, Tiffany Rolfe, global chair and global chief creative officer, said, “R/GA was founded on the principles of design and technology, and so this newly created role is especially significant. Ben has proven to be a skilled practitioner and inspiring leader, always designing to create impact for our clients and the world. I look forward to having his infectious passion across even more of our work and teams in APAC.” 

Michael Titshall, CEO of APAC at R/GA, added, “Ben makes the industry, R/GA, and all of us better with his passion, creativity, and innovation. In this unique role, he’ll inject his brand and design expertise, giving R/GA’s clients across the region access to unique creative solutions.” 

Singapore – AI-powered adtech company Smartly has recently announced the appointment of Bertilla Teo as CEO for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Her appointment underscores Smartly’s goal of helping advertisers succeed in a complex digital ecosystem with increasing fragmentation of channels, changing privacy regulations, and the need for efficient budget allocation across diverse markets.

Bringing over 20 years of experience in advertising, Teo boasts a proven track record of success in APAC. Prior to this role, she served as CEO of Publicis Groupe, China, where she focused on client acquisition and implementing the “Power of One” model, gaining numerous accolades for her performance within the industry.

Speaking on her appointment, Teo said, “I’m thrilled to lead Smartly’s APAC growth journey at this pivotal time. The region presents a unique landscape with varying levels of tech adoption and active digital users in highly fragmented environments.”

“Smartly’s AI-powered solutions are perfectly positioned to empower brands to navigate these complexities and achieve brand performance and growth. Together with our partners, we will unlock the full potential of growth for our customers,” she added.
 
Meanwhile, Laura Desmond, CEO at Smartly, commented, “Over the past year Bertilla has played a key role in establishing Smartly as a formidable adtech company and partner in the region. Having a robust business in APAC truly distinguishes global adtech companies, and given our recent momentum, Bertilla is the right leader to take Smartly, our partners and our clients to the next level.”

Singapore – As part of its ongoing expansion, Havas Singapore has promoted Kenny Yap to the position of chief operating officer for Havas Play, the specialised division within Havas Media Network. 

In his new role, Yap will lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives and partnerships, driving sustained growth and innovation while managing commercial and operational responsibilities. Also, part of his key priority will be expanding Havas Play’s presence throughout Southeast Asia.

Since joining Havas Singapore in 2017 as managing director, Yap has been pivotal in achieving consistent double-digit growth for the agency. He has developed a unique offering that seamlessly integrates social media, content, public relations, influencer marketing, and social media commerce. Under his leadership, the agency has significantly expanded its client roster and garnered numerous accolades, including multiple ‘Agency of the Year’ awards.

Yap will work closely with Russell Lai, chief commercial officer of Havas Media Network Singapore, and both will continue to report to Rana Barua, the group CEO for India, Southeast Asia, and North Asia at Havas. 

Speaking on the appointment, Barua shared, “Kenny has been a key member of our leadership team in Singapore, significantly enhancing the agency’s capabilities and leading to numerous new business successes. We have ambitious plans for Havas Media Network in this region, and Havas Play will be key to expanding our diverse capabilities into sports, events, culture, and multiple IPs that connect with brands and consumers, allowing us to make an effective difference and deliver impactful results. Both Russell and Kenny will continue to drive growth for the agency, working closely with me.”

Also commenting on his new role, Yap said, “I’m humbled by the recognition and excited about the growth plans for Havas Play. We have such an amazing playground of talent, intelligence, and data that enables us to offer our clients a comprehensive suite of integrated services. In addition, we have strategic alliances in the pipeline to enhance and elevate our capabilities. As we continue to scale the core business, we will amplify our efforts in additional areas such as sports, entertainment, sponsorships, and activations, creating a greater meaningful difference for our clients and audience.”

Singapore – AnyMind Group, a BPaaS company for marketing, e-commerce and digital transformation, has today announced two leadership appointments including Steven Tan, managing director of e-commerce enablement for Malaysia, and Koichiro Izawa, managing director of accounting and financial control.

Tan and Izawa’s appointments serve to strengthen the e-commerce business and finance department of AnyMind Group, alongside its goal of consistent global expansion.

Tan joins AnyMind Group through the acquisition of Arche Digital, a Malaysia-based e-commerce enabler that he founded in 2015, and continues to serve as managing director of the company. He also worked as a research scientist and research scholar, before taking up managerial and leadership roles in medical supplies and electronics companies.

Izawa on the other hand, joined Sakura Bank (currently Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation) in 1998. After working for a major audit firm, he joined a venture company in 2005 and took it public, leading the development of its management structure after the IPO. After that, he worked as a finance director for several foreign manufacturers in Japan and Southeast Asia, where he was involved in a wide range of operations centred on accounting and finance.

On his appointment, Tan said, “As we continue expanding synergies between Arche Digital and AnyMind Group, I am looking forward to playing an active role in supporting the management of the wider group. I believe that both companies will continue going from strength to strength, and I’m keen to use my experience gained throughout my career to help AnyMind accelerate business growth in Malaysia and beyond and enhance AnyMind’s BPaaS capabilities.”

On his appointment, Izawa also mentioned, “AnyMind is a rapidly growing company in the global marketplace, and strengthening the finance department is essential to further accelerate our growth. I hope to contribute to AnyMind’s sustainable growth by leveraging my past experience to strengthen AnyMind’s finance structure. In particular, I will help AnyMind to increase the company’s transparency and credibility by improving its accounting processes’ efficiency and accuracy as well as accurate financial reporting.”

Meanwhile, Kosuke Sogo, CEO and co-founder of AnyMind Group, commented, “We have appointed two leaders to strengthen internal structures in our e-commerce business and finance department. We will continue to expand our business globally and advance a borderless world where everyone can do business more easily through our technology.”

Singapore – StackAdapt, a multi-channel advertising platform, has announced the appointment of Deirdre Chew as its new director of sales for Southeast Asia to advance the company’s growth plan in the Asian region.

Chew brings fifteen years of experience in the agency and digital advertising industries. In her new role, Chew will focus on spearheading the market expansion of StackAdapt’s programmatic footprint across the SEA region. 

As the new director of sales, she will drive strategic regional initiatives and commercial partnerships to secure business growth, deliver a streamlined operating model to provide optimal customer experiences, and motivate and mentor colleagues to excel in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. 

Before joining StackAdapt, Chew spent ten years at Google, where she most recently led a team of measurement specialists in Asia, assisting customers in managing privacy concerns and optimising data-driven performance.

At Google, Chew played a pivotal role in launching the company’s programmatic advertising business across Asia from 2014 to 2019. In the following year, she implemented Google’s technology partner strategy, concentrating on analytics and advanced solutions. Additionally, Chew also served as a regional digital manager at MEC in Asia and worked at iCrossing in the US market.

Speaking on her appointment, Chew said, “StackAdapt is leading the market in AI-powered digital advertising and delivering tremendous results for brands by prioritising flexible business partnerships and a customer-centric approach.” 

“The value proposition that StackAdapt provides to brands was a compelling reason to join the company, and I’m excited for the opportunity to create and accelerate a substantial business across Asia,” she added. 

Chew’s appointment follows that of Liam McCarten, who was recently announced as the new VP of sales for StackAdapt Asia-Pacific in February. McCarten said the appointment of Chew will fast-track the company’s presence among key brands in Asia. 

“We are extremely excited to welcome Deirdre to StackAdapt. I believe it’s another example of our ambition and willingness to attract top talent from across the industry. Beyond being impressed with Deirdre’s track record, what has stood out is her client- and agency-centric mindset. She will be a key member of our leadership team and a contributor to StackAdapt’s growth across Asia,” McCarten shared. 

Singapore – Interpublic group agency Golin has announced the appointment of Rafidah Rashid to the newly created role of group managing director across its Singapore operations.

In her new role, Rashid will be working across Golin’s agency brands, providing centralised leadership and strategic direction.

Prior to her appointment, Rashid has a proven track record of success at Interpublic Group brands, as she commenced her public relations career in the corporate and financial sector before instigating her path at DeVries Global Singapore, which she has led since 2017.

Most recently, Rashid was also appointed co-lead of the agencies’ Asia Pacific Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council.

Speaking on her appointment, Rashid said, “As a leader, my mission is to champion industry-first innovations for brands, while empowering our people to reach their full potential. I am excited to lead our talented teams to fulfilling career growth, fostering client success and even greater industry excellence.”

Meanwhile, Darren Burns, president at Golin Asia Pacific, commented, “I’m so happy to appoint Fidah to this role,” said Burns. “Her unmatched energy for innovation, ability to build a vibrant culture, and her unique blend of experience, make her perfect for this role. Under her leadership, we are evolving a new era that builds off our sustained success in Singapore.”

Singapore – Business communications agency Mahlab has welcomed Ning Ho as its newly appointed account director for the Singapore team.

Ho brings with her more than a decade of experience in marketing and advertising. She has worked with a range of clients, from industry leaders to startups, including Okta, Confluent, Red Hat, and Motorola Solutions. 

In her new role, Ho will be leading content marketing, demand generation, and account-based marketing programmes for accounts such as Salesforce, Figma, FedEx, LinkedIn, and Slack across APAC. 

She will join Mahlab’s ASEAN business director, Gus Wick, marking another milestone in Mahlab’s growing expansion across the ASEAN region. 

Speaking on the appointment, Wick shared, “We are thrilled to welcome Ning to our team at this pivotal moment in our expansion. Her extensive experience will be invaluable in enhancing our ability to deliver exceptional curiosity with tangible results for our clients across the region.” 

Also talking about her new role, Ho said, “I am really pleased to embark on a new chapter of my career journey by joining Mahlab. I am eager to contribute my expertise to the team at Mahlab and help drive success for our clients in the ever-evolving landscape of marketing and communications, especially amidst the advancements of AI technology.” 

“The opportunity to work with a new range of clients and tackle fresh challenges excites me beyond measure,” she added. 

Established earlier this year, Mahlab’s Singapore office is actively expanding its team to better serve the growing demand for strategic communications and marketing services in the Asia Pacific. 

Hong Kong – DDB Group Hong Kong has acquired the creative and social media accounts for Tiger Brokers’ Tiger Trade trading platform. The agency will be in charge of all 2024 communications, including strategy and creative for branding, production, promotion, and social media. 

Building brand awareness and client acquisition in an established market of savvy investors is the brand’s main goal. DDB will have to help with increasing appeal, reaching a wider audience, and establishing brand presence. 

Tiger Trade’s low-commission real-time trading software provides investors with technology, knowledge, and inventiveness. The smartphone app is young and only getting started in the Hong Kong market, it already has over 2.2 million account holders worldwide. 

Speaking about the appointment, Lowe Low, Senior brand marketing manager at Tiger Brokers (HK) Global Limited, said, “DDB’s unparallelled creativity and strategic brilliance truly distinguished them in the pitch process and it is with immense excitement that we move forward with them. At Tiger Brokers, we believe in pushing boundaries and redefining possibilities, and with DDB by our side, I am confident that we will create ground-breaking campaigns that not only captivate our audience, but also redefine the landscape of our industry.”

Meanwhile, Koman Ko, managing partner at DDB Group Hong Kong, stated, “We immediately respected Tiger Brokers’ visionary approach and ambition, as well as their collaborative style of working. We can’t wait to get started and help bring Tiger Trade’s superior investment experiences to more Hong Kong people, helping them reach their full potential as investors.” 

Australia – UM Australia has been selected as Canteen’s media agency of record, with effect immediately. UM’s Canteen responsibilities include performance, above-the-line media strategy, planning, and purchasing. The goal in this mandate is to grow supporter numbers in order to reach more young people impacted by cancer. 

The mandate, made effective following Canteen’s recent brand revamp, began with promoting National Bandanna Day and increasing brand recognition. This year is the fundraising event’s 30th anniversary. Over the previous 30 years, it has raised millions of dollars to support young people in finding the friendship, support, and connections they need to overcome the challenges presented by cancer. 

The Canteen will mark the 30th anniversary of National Bandanna Day on Thursday, October 24, 2024. 

Speaking about the appointment, Andrew Clift, managing partner, (House of Performance), UM, said, “To help them find new donors in today’s challenging market Canteen was looking for an agency who can combine performance marketing strategies with a focus on storytelling and community engagement. Paramount to the overall success of the media strategy was finding new ways to engage regular givers as Canteen continues to play a pivotal role in the lives of young people affected by cancer.” 

He added, “A tall ask, but very attainable by taking a holistic approach and leveraging the full portfolio across all paid, earned, and owned media channels. To improve the donor experience we will use UM’s House of Performance framework, which can measure and optimise campaigns from above-the-line (ATL) initiatives through to digital acquisitions.” 

Meanwhile, Janelle Cook, executive director of marketing and fundraising, Canteen, “Canteen is committed to helping young people through a world turned upside down by cancer and UM’s appointment further amplifies our commitment. UM will help bring our mission to life through innovative media strategies and engaging campaigns building Canteen’s efforts to increase fundraising so we can continue our vital work. From early in our discussions, UM’s team demonstrated a passionate commitment to our cause. Coupled with their outstanding strategic insight, media buying and planning nous, this will make for a brilliant partnership. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.” 

Lastly, Clift remarked, “UM looks forward to creating innovative work to engage with young people, their families and the wider public and drive positive change.”