Tag: Appointment

Singapore – Open web technology platform Outbrain has appointed Chris Oxley to the newly created role of country manager for Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, wherein he will lead the charge in driving the expansion of Outbrain’s advertising business. 

In his new role, Oxley will oversee the development and implementation of Outbrain’s commercial strategy along with driving new business opportunities to accelerate revenue growth across the region. His responsibilities include building and maintaining strategic partnerships, amplifying Outbrain’s value proposition, and managing the Outbrain sales teams.

Most recently, Oxley was the national head of digital sales for Foxtel Media, where he launched programmatic TV and led the team to commercialise advertising on the streaming platform Binge. Prior to that, he had successful tenures at Yahoo and BSkyB, which have contributed to Oxley’s deep understanding of ad tech platforms, programmatic advertising and data-driven marketing.

Speaking on his appointment, Oxley said, “Outbrain has quickly become a leader in digital media, connecting advertisers with premium audiences in contextually relevant environments. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to lead the ANZ and Singapore teams, solidifying our role as the primary engagement partner for some of the world’s top digital media companies.”

Meanwhile, Amrita de la Peña, APAC managing director at Outbrain commented, “Chris is a best-in-class sales leader. He leads from the front and has a remarkable track record of empowering sales teams to surpass their targets. He possesses extensive expertise with a passion in digital media and he strives to build an incredible sales team who are just as passionate as he is.”

“Chris was selected for his visionary mindset, strong relationships in-market, and successful track record of leading high performing teams. We are thrilled to welcome Chris to Outbrain at this exciting time of growth,” she added.

San Francisco, USA – Global digital experience software company Sitecore has announced the appointment of Dave O’Flanagan as its new chief executive officer, along with a series of key leadership and board changes to drive innovation and growth. 

In his new role, O’Flanagan will continue to advance Sitecore’s DXP leadership by driving ongoing innovation and transforming customer value with AI.

O’Flanagan previously served as the company’s interim CEO after three years as chief product officer (CPO). He led the transition to Composable and the introduction of Sitecore’s SaaS DXP solutions.

Before joining Sitecore, O’Flanagan was the founder and CEO of Boxever, which was acquired by Sitecore in 2021.

Together with O’Flanagan’s appointment, the company has also announced additional leadership changes. 

After five years of leading Sitecore’s suite of content and management products, Roger Connolly has been promoted to chief product officer to drive all content lifecycle and AI innovation. 

Danny Robinson has been appointed as the new chief technology officer (CTO), having previously led the team behind Sitecore’s AI-enhanced personalisation solutions. 

Meanwhile, Rohinee Mohindroo has been appointed as the new chief digital and information officer (CDIO). Mohindroo has been the driving force behind recent advancements in security and data privacy across the product portfolio.

Alongside these leadership moves, Sitecore has also made four new board appointments to help deliver on its vision. The new board members will work alongside Darren Roos, chair of the Sitecore board. 

Among the appointees are Christian Shin Høegh Andersen, partner at private equity firm EQT Partners, and Maggie Buggie, who brings 20 years’ experience leveraging technology to transform businesses, with a focus on AI and digital customer experience. 

Also on the board are Michael Ouissi, who has spent more than 20 years specialising in enterprise go-to-market strategy, and Saleah Hassen Laher, who has more than 30 years’ experience in enterprise software delivery and customer success.

Effective immediately, the leadership and board changes are aimed at accelerating the strategy of the new CEO and driving further growth for Sitecore. 

At the recent Sitecore User Group Conference, O’Flanagan revealed a suite of generative AI capabilities as part of the company’s ‘marketer-first’ AI strategy. These capabilities are expected to dramatically transform the way marketers work to create content and deliver standout, personalised experiences.

Sitecore’s new AI features, including AI-driven recommendations for website search, advanced A/B testing, and image recognition, enhance its existing AI offerings. The AI Copilot tool is crafted to streamline marketers’ tasks throughout the content creation process, boosting efficiency and impact across various channels.

Speaking on the announcement, Roos said, “I’ve known Dave since he joined Sitecore through the acquisition of Boxever, where he was the founder and CEO. The opportunity in front of Sitecore is great, and Dave’s customer-first mindset, focus on innovation and execution, as well as his energy around the positive impact Sitecore’s solutions can have on customers and partners, will help propel Sitecore’s growth.”

Also commenting on his promotion, O’Flanagan shared, “This is an incredibly exciting moment in Sitecore’s journey as we continue to redefine the potential of the DXP. We’re bringing together the best in content, personalisation, and AI to power standout experiences for visionary brands in every industry. It’s an honour to take on this role, and I can’t wait to get started alongside our brilliant customers, team, partners, and the wider Sitecore community.”

Singapore – In a move to bolster its platforms, video entertainment platform Viddsee has announced the addition of media veteran Ricky Ow to its board of directors. 

With a distinguished career spanning successful roles at WarnerMedia, Turner, and Sony Pictures, Ow brings to Viddsee a deep understanding of the media landscape, notably in market development, content production, and IP investment.

Ow’s appointment to Viddsee’s board of directors aims to lead its transformation into a dynamic entertainment hub that nurtures and promotes impactful creative content. Leveraging his extensive media background and leadership in Web3 enterprises, Ow will play a pivotal role in steering Viddsee’s direction and spearheading new initiatives under ‘Candee Labs’, Viddsee’s innovation venture into the Web3 AI space.

Viddsee has evolved from a platform primarily focused on showcasing short-form content with a network of storytellers to placing a stronger emphasis on the production of award-winning original content and expansive brand campaigns. This pivot leverages its network of over 5,000 creators to not only expand in size but also enhance the quality and scope of its content offerings. 

Moreover, Viddsee is enhancing its methods for scouting creators to better identify and cultivate emerging regional talent. Drawing upon Ow’s expertise, Viddsee seeks to navigate the intricacies of the media landscape, cementing its status as a premier hub for creative content across Asia. 

Ow’s addition to Viddsee marks a significant milestone as the platform continues to lead and innovate in digital content, promising exciting new developments for brands, streamers, and entertainment partners.

Commenting on his appointment, Ow stated, “I look forward to guiding and supporting Viddsee’s journey at this transformative phase as we strengthen the platform and empower regional talent, setting new benchmarks in the creative industry.” 

Ho Jia Jian, founder and CEO at Viddsee, also said, “We are incredibly privileged to welcome Ricky to our board. His extensive experience and deep industry insights will be crucial as we advance in innovation and leadership, particularly through challenging yet promising environments.”

Malaysia – dentsu Malaysia has elevated Winnie Chen-Head to the position of managing director of media to further drive transformation and innovation of the network’s media practice in the market. 

In this appointment, Chen-Head will take over Pankaj Nayak, who led dentsu Malaysia’s media practice in an interim role since April 2023. Nayak will now focus on his role as managing director of media at dentsu Singapore. 

Chen-Head brings with her over 23 years of experience as a marketing strategist. She joined dentsu Malaysia in 2021 as head of product and solutions for its media business. She has played a vital role in developing and scaling new solutions for clients, all while leading consistent business growth. 

Concurrently, Chen-Head also served as the head of iProspect Malaysia, leading the media agency to anchor itself as a digital-first agency and refine its scope of offerings for clients. 

In her new role, she will report directly to Audrey Chong, CEO of dentsu Malaysia.

Commenting on the appointment, Chong said, “With her proven track record in steering effective transformation and strategic growth within our network, Winnie is a natural choice to take our media practice in Malaysia to the next phase of growth. She takes over at a pivotal moment with the firm foundations that have been laid by Pankaj in his time with us. I am confident that Winnie and Pankaj will continue to work closely together and alongside our media practices across Southeast Asia to deliver an even stronger proposition for clients across the cluster.”

On her appointment, Chen-Head also shared, “As we help our clients navigate an increasingly dynamic business landscape, innovative and transformative strategy and growth take centre stage. This is what we at dentsu are committed to delivering for our clients. I am grateful to be able to work with our dedicated media teams in dentsu Malaysia to elevate brand transformation through impactful and agile media strategies that are adapted for the ever-changing external environment.”

Sydney, Australia – Allied Global Marketing (Allied), a full-service integrated marketing agency working with entertainment, consumer, and lifestyle brands, has announced the appointment of seasoned executive Nicola Gold as business director APAC for brand experience.

Gold will play a pivotal role in building the brand experience offering as part of Allied’s strategy to develop a truly integrated full-service offering, delivering exceptional business results for new and existing clients across the Asia-Pacific region. 

An award-winning experiential leader, Gold is an accomplished business transformer, leader, and creative thinker renowned for her ability to generate value and drive growth for clients and businesses on a local and international scale. 

Prior to joining Allied, she served as the director of creative operations for Pico International Dubai, where she redefined the creative offering and identified ways to improve the efficiency and cost of delivering world-class creative across multiple channels. 

Gold also worked as a strategic business director for Pico Australia Pty Ltd and general manager of Total Brand Activation Australia. There, she established and implemented new lines of business across digital and virtual as well as museum initiatives and multi-million-dollar projects. 

Aside from these, she previously held positions at George P. Johnson Experience Marketing (Sydney and Singapore), Jack Morton Worldwide, and OnePartners.

Gold’s appointment underscores Allied’s commitment to driving growth and delivering unparalleled value to clients in the dynamic and evolving experiential landscape. Since expanding its operations into the APAC region, Allied has secured valued clients and executed key campaigns, including the world’s first ever singing billboard for Prime Video’s Deadloch, a fan activation experience at Comic-Con Mumbai for Crunchyroll, and a South Park pop-up store in Tokyo for Paramount+ to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the series.

Effective immediately, she will be based in Sydney and will report directly to Jamie Crick, managing director of the APAC region, as well as to the executive vice presidents of Allied’s global brand experience team, Jonny Davis and Paddy Davis.

Commenting on the appointment, Crick said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Nikki to the team. Her extensive background in experiential marketing and proven track record of success will be instrumental as we continue to expand our presence in the region and further enhance the agency’s capabilities in delivering exceptional brand experiences.”

Singapore – The Barracks Hotel Sentosa, Oasia Resort Sentosa, The Outpost Hotel Sentosa, and Village Hotel Sentosa by Far East Hospitality have appointed WE Communications (WE), a global integrated communications agency, as their PR and social media agency of record.

With the appointment, WE will offer full assistance for all communication initiatives, including influencer engagement, campaign launches, media relations, social media management, content creation, creative production, and other services.

With this new partnership, the four hotels’ brand narratives will be improved and their influence will be expanded into important markets. WE will focus on developing compelling storylines through creative content and social media interaction, with a first emphasis on Southeast Asia, South Korea, and China. These narratives will highlight the unique features of the four hotels that make up a single Sentosa precinct: the adult-only vibe of The Outpost Hotel Sentosa, the practical wellness of Oasia Resort Sentosa, the bespoke luxury of The Barracks Hotel Sentosa, and the family-friendly entertainment of Village Hotel Sentosa.

Speaking about the appointment, Daryl Ho, managing director, Singapore, said, “We are excited to partner with the four hotels to showcase their signature Singapore-inspired hospitality and unique experiences in the island destination of Sentosa. With our insights into the travel and hospitality industry and creative storytelling expertise, we look forward to helping the hotels deepen guest relationships and drive more response with each of their distinctive audiences.” 

Shanghai, China – Global prestige beauty retail brand Sephora has officially named Xia Ding as its new managing director of Greater China to lead its next phase of growth and success. 

In her new role, Xia Ding will be based in Shanghai and will report directly to Alia Gogi, president of Asia for Sephora. 

She will lead Sephora’s business in Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR, spanning around 350 stores with two e-commerce websites and a robust ecosystem of digital platforms and apps. 

Xia Ding brings with her an extensive background in leadership. Prior to joining Sephora, she spent five years serving as the vice president and general manager of e-commerce for Asia Pacific and Latin America at Nike. 

During her two decades of tenure at HanesBrands Inc., Xia Ding was heavily involved in corporate strategy and led its expansion into China. In 2015, she was appointed the vice president of retail service at Nielsen in China and subsequently joined JD.com as the president of JD Fashion, where she was responsible for driving the fashion business covering apparel, shoes, sportswear, bags, and jewellery. 

Commenting on the appointment, Gogi said, “Xia Ding is a quintessential leader with a wealth of experience in running businesses, digital transformations, and strategic business development. I am confident that her skills set, knowledge of brick & mortar retail, expertise in digital and e-commerce, as well as her proven track record in building and sustaining profitable businesses will take Sephora Greater China into its next phase of growth and success.” 

Meanwhile, Xia Ding shared, “I am thrilled to join Sephora at a time when the prestige beauty market in China is on the cusp of its next phase of growth. Sephora’s allure lies in its powerful curation capabilities, strong culture anchored in purpose and DE&I, and an incredible ability to offer beauty enthusiasts an ever-evolving retail experience.” 

Singapore – AIA Singapore has appointed Socialyse as its social media agency of record. Through the mandate, Socialyse will be responsible for content production, social media strategy, and administration focused on boosting consumer engagement for AIA Singapore. The appointment will take effect in April 2024. 

The appointment follows the premiere of the five-minute thematic film “Confessions Of A Liar.” This film is a part of the launch of AIA Ultimate Critical Cover, the newest critical illness plan from AIA Singapore (AIA UCC). The film explores the intricacies of familial ties over a range of life stages, including a serious illness. This is presented through the protagonist’s lighthearted exchanges with his mother, who is middle-aged. 

Kenny Yap, managing director of Socialyse, Havas Play and Havas Red, expressed, “We are thrilled to provide AIA Singapore with our integrated services together via Socialyse, Havas Play and Arena Media. We know the power of integration and continue to see this unique offering help clients achieve their brand, communication and commercial objectives. With our shared commitment to delivering meaningful impact, we look forward to supporting AIA Singapore to deepen their engagement with customers and the community through more purposeful storytelling.” 

Meanwhile, Allison Chew, head of PR, brand, and marketing at AIA Singapore, said, “We look forward to working alongside Socialyse, tapping into their robust social media offering and seamless integrated services to further engage our customers and the community with more compelling content that resonates with their evolving needs. Together with Arena Media, we are confident in the network’s ability to drive synergies and effectiveness.”

Taiwan – OMD Taiwan, a subsidiary of the Omnicom Media Group, has named Jason Chen as its new general manager to support business growth. 

In his new role as general manager, Chen will focus on the continuous development and growth of OMD’s client partnerships, commercial operations, product, talent, and culture. 

Chen emphasised his commitment to using his extensive experience to address the challenges and opportunities brought about by the rapid development of marketing technology. The agency network will leverage Chen’s invaluable wealth of experience and insights in combining media, data, and marketing technology to create win-win marketing campaigns for brands and consumers. 

He will lead the team in utilising global resources, technology, and data insights tools to enhance OMD’s competitiveness and talent development and deepen the agile thinking within the agency brand. Chen’s main aim is to assist brands in creating better consumer experiences, continuously strengthen the leading position of client brands, and drive business growth, making OMD the most trusted business partner for clients.

Chen previously spent nearly a decade at OMG and OMD in Taiwan, leading its digital transformation for clients. Now, with over 18 years of experience in digital and media, Chen returns to the OMG network with extensive expertise in marketing, data-driven marketing technology, media integration, and client service. 

Prior to his appointment at OMD Taiwan, he worked at GroupM and has also worked at d.vibe Digital, dentsu Solution Center, and tech start-up Ainotam, making significant industry contributions in the areas of media, data, and marketing technology. 

Overall, his remarkable leadership earned him several accolades and numerous successful pitch wins, resulting in internationally acclaimed case studies for various brands. 

Charlotte Lee, CEO at OMD Asia Pacific, said, “Jason’s demonstrated expertise in client management, business operations, and digital strategy presents a significant advantage for OMD in Taiwan, especially as we capitalise on emerging opportunities to explore new possibilities for our clients. His recruitment aligns with our ambition to accelerate growth through digital leadership, business transformation, and a connected culture.” 

Also speaking on the appointment, Kelly Huang, CEO of Omnicom Media Group Taiwan, shared, “Jason’s leadership in digital transformation at OMG and OMD makes him one of the most influential figures in our industry. In recent years, OMD has been actively transforming and expanding, keeping pace with the rapid changes in the market. In this rapidly changing market environment, talent, data, and client servicing have always been core values of our group. Faced with the current changes in the environment, we need an agile-thinking team. We are very pleased that Jason has returned and accepted this new challenge. We believe that under his leadership, OMD will once again reach new heights and create new milestones.” 

Australia – OpenX, a global omnichannel supply-side platform, has promoted Mitchell Greenway to managing director, APAC. In his new job, Greenway will oversee OpenX’s operations in Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. 

Greenway will directly report to John Gentry, CEO of OpenX Technologies. 

In his new position, Greenway will be in charge of growing OpenX’s footprint in the area. Using his CTV experience in the position, he will also concentrate on enhancing OpenX’s CTV footprint in the market. Greenway will also be a part of OpenX’s CTV steering group. 

Greenway was the first person hired by OpenX in the Australia/New Zealand area in 2019. He led the charge in forming the local team throughout his term, which improved publisher access to demand in the area. After that, Greenway spent two years developing OpenX’s CTV supply network and go-to-market plan in North America. He refined his technological skills and streaming leadership throughout this time.

Greenway has worked in digital media and programmatic advertising for 13 years, mostly on the supply side or directly with publishers. Greenway worked in executive roles before joining OpenX, such as managing the programmatic and audience team at Bauer Media and heading the relationship team at Yahoo. 

Greenway takes over the role following the retirement of his predecessor, Andrew Tu, who has over 30 years of experience in digital and programmatic advertising. 

Speaking about his appointment, Greenway expressed, “I’m excited to not only be returning home to Sydney with my family but to be working once again with colleagues and clients in the region, with an enhanced global focus on our CTV footprint and capabilities. The thing that I am most looking forward to, however, is having the opportunity to lead all of the unique regions within APAC — each market has its own needs, and therefore opportunities, from a cultural, content, and overall programmatic standpoint.” 

Meanwhile, Gentry said, “I’m excited to see Mitch expand his role and leverage his extensive programmatic and CTV knowledge to build on the strong foundation in the APAC region that Andrew and his team built. Mitch’s ability to connect at local levels across the region makes him the ideal leader to continue to build on our legacy in APAC, and I’m looking forward to him powering growth through his deep understanding of the evolving CTV landscape.“