Tag: Appointment

Japan – Independent creative agency UltraSuperNew has appointed creative talent Diana Ganea—formerly of Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo—as art director in its Tokyo office.

Ganea will be working across accounts such as SKYN, Sheraton, Jameson, and the interactive music-learning platform Yousician, bringing a style shaped by her interest in graphic design and emerging technologies.

Originally from Copenhagen, she has a multidisciplinary background spanning film, out-of-home, events, social, 3D, and augmented reality. At Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo, she contributed to campaigns for global brands including Samsung, Google, IKEA, Nike, and most recently, Netflix.

A graduate of the London College of Communication, Ganea’s work often explores youth culture and mixed media formats. Her previous projects include an AR experience featuring IKEA’s BLÅHAJ plushie for the Tiny Homes campaign and a reimagined playground for Nike’s Playground for All.

Before relocating to Tokyo, Ganea worked with London-based creative events agency My Beautiful City and creative studio Object & Animal, contributing to campaigns, music videos, and the cover design for FKA Twigs’ Cellophane.

Speaking about her new role, Ganea said, “I’m thrilled to join UltraSuperNew’s Tokyo team, a place that values bold ideas and a forward-thinking, experimental approach. I’m excited to explore new formats and technologies with such a talented group and to create work that’s both meaningful and unexpected.”

Operating out of UltraSuperNew’s Tokyo office, Ganea will report to creative director Yousuke Ozawa.

Ozawa shared, “Diana immediately raised the creative bar when she joined, and that standard has only continued to rise thanks to her sharp eye for design and deep understanding of technology. We knew right away she was a perfect fit for UltraSuperNew – her passion for creating original, meaningful work far outweighed any superficial ambition, which is exactly what we value most here. Despite her intense drive, she brings a kind and gentle spirit that’s incredibly likeable and has naturally strengthened the chemistry across teams. She continues to surprise me every time – and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.”

Singapore – In a bid to sharpen its regional focus and unlock new growth opportunities, Club Med has unveiled a major restructuring of its Asia Pacific operations, including the consolidation of business units and key leadership appointments.

As part of its major restructuring, Club Med is consolidating its three existing Asia Pacific business units into two integrated entities: East & South Asia and Pacific (ESAP) and China. Effective May 1, 2025, this move aims to streamline operations and improve responsiveness in high-priority markets.

While the company maintains its collaborative “One APAC” approach, the revised structure is intended to reflect the unique business environments of ESAP and China, allowing for more targeted strategies and regional alignment.

“This move opens a new chapter for Club Med in Asia Pacific. By tailoring our regional structure around the unique strengths of China and ESAP, we are well poised to accelerate our expansion with a strategic focus. With empowered leadership and a shared glocal vision, Club Med now has even more agility to seize opportunities in key markets and reinforce our position as the worldwide leader in premium, all-inclusive travel,” said Henri Giscard d’Estaing, president of Club Med.

To lead the new ESAP unit, Club Med has appointed Rachael Harding as chief executive officer. In this role, she will oversee both commercial and resort operations, reporting directly to Gregory Lanter, deputy CEO of Club Med.

Harding will focus on navigating the evolving market landscape, delivering strong brand and customer experiences, and driving a growth strategy across both mature and emerging markets in the region.

Commenting about her new role, Harding explained, “This business transformation empowers us to scale with greater purpose and precision across the region. With a refreshed leadership structure, a robust resort pipeline and stronger regional integration, we are advancing our ability to deliver elevated, seamless guest experiences. The 2024 results clearly demonstrate ESAP’s significant growth potential for Club Med, and we are poised to capitalise on every opportunity this new phase presents.” 

The ESAP leadership team is also being strengthened with several key appointments. Cindy Beleau has been named vice president of revenue management for APAC, where she will modernise pricing strategies with digital and AI-driven tools. Sandrine Rossi steps in as vice president of operations and product, bringing over two decades of experience in resort strategy and operations. Anastasiya Kulish will now lead as vice president of Japan Resort Operations, focusing on reinforcing Club Med’s mountain leadership in Hokkaido.

Meanwhile, Michelle Davies, currently general manager Pacific, will expand her responsibilities to include ESAP’s new markets. Olivier Monceau will now oversee the meetings & events segment in addition to his leadership roles in Singapore and Malaysia. Lastly, Jerome Ferrie and Arezki Haddad will serve as chief financial officer and chief human resources officer, respectively.

In China, Andrew Xu will remain CEO of Club Med China and take on the additional role of deputy CEO of Club Med, with responsibility for global finance.

The ESAP region has steadily recovered over the past three years, driven by returning customers, new market growth, and expanded resort capacity in areas like Hokkaido. Key developments include the renovation of Club Med Phuket, planned upgrades at Club Med Bintan, and the upcoming opening of Club Med Borneo in Malaysia.

In China, Club Med welcomed over 260,000 guests in 2024, making it the company’s second-largest market. Since entering the country in 2003, the brand has grown its presence to include five Premium All-Inclusive Resorts, four Joyview Resorts, and two Urban Oasis properties. Moving forward, Club Med will focus on maintaining its position in the premium segment and supporting both outbound and inbound tourism.

Singapore – Creative agency LePub Singapore has appointed Penny Sadlier as its new managing director to strengthen its leadership capabilities. The agency has also announced new additions to its creative department.

To boost its creative team, Le Pub Singapore has appointed Bruno Andrade and Pedro Pedreira as creative directors, Francesca Babet as client services director, Ernest Kok as senior copywriter, and Claudius Keng as senior art director.

In her new role, Sadlier will leverage her expertise in building brands and delivering integrated campaigns to drive impact across the agency’s clients.

Having collaborated with brands in Asia for over a decade, Sadlier has strengthened her experience in fast-moving consumer goods, food and beverages, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.

“Since opening its doors in Singapore in 2022, LePub’s story has been one of incredible growth and ambition – who wouldn’t want to be part of this trajectory? It’s a huge honour to be leading LePub Singapore into its next era, working alongside some of our industry’s sharpest minds and creative technologists to create brands that truly live in culture,” Sadlier said.

Andrade and Pedreira join the agency from Ogilvy Singapore, bringing their skill for art direction. Meanwhile, Kok and Keng join from MullenLowe Singapore. Babet previously served as global brand director at Publicis Groupe Singapore.

“LePub Singapore is a vibrant place of growth and innovation, attracting some of the most original and bold thinkers in the region. Rooted in data, creativity, and tech, the team is delivering some of our most exciting and forward-looking work both in Asia and around the world. I can’t wait to see where their creativity leads us next,” Bruno Bertelli, global CEO at LePub and CCO at LePub Worldwide, said.

Amrita Randhawa, Southeast Asia CEO at Publicis Groupe, commented, “To lead LePub in this next chapter, you need a ton of skills – consummate client leadership, great people and team building skills, the ability to work across countries and cultures, and an impeccable eye for craft and ideas. Lucky for us, Penny has it all in spades.”

Australia – Taboola has appointed Shivani Pant as regional publisher director for Asia Pacific (APAC), a newly created role aimed at supporting the company’s accelerating expansion and deepening partnerships across the region.

In her new role, Pant will be based in Sydney and will lead efforts to align and expand Taboola’s publisher relationships across Asia Pacific—a region that continues to play a key role in the company’s global strategy.

Pant brings nearly 15 years of digital media experience, including close to eight years at Taboola. Most recently serving as director of publisher partnerships for Australia and New Zealand, she has worked across key markets such as Japan, Thailand, China, and India. Her regional knowledge and deep expertise in publisher development position her well to help unify and scale Taboola’s efforts across APAC.

Earlier this year, Pant was also acknowledged for her contributions to the digital media industry. At Taboola, she has been instrumental in developing and maintaining long-term partnerships with publishers such as Sky News Australia and the Otago Daily Times, contributing to the company’s sustained presence in the region.

Pant’s appointment aims to support and strengthen Taboola’s regional growth.

Taboola is seeing steady momentum across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, driven by a broader advertiser mix and the growing adoption of its recently launched technology platform, ‘Realize’. Designed to deliver performance at scale beyond search and social, Realize marks a step beyond Taboola’s native advertising roots, focusing solely on measurable outcomes. The platform leverages Taboola’s data, performance-driven AI, and a wider range of inventory and creative formats.

In terms of publisher partnerships, Taboola has secured several long-term agreements in the region. In Australia, the company renewed its exclusive partnership with Sky News Australia through a five-year deal, extending the collaboration to a decade. Similarly, in New Zealand, Taboola signed a six-year renewal with the Otago Daily Times—the longest partnership extension in its ANZ portfolio to date.

Singapore – Global marketing network Stagwell has appointed Connie Chan its new chief growth officer for Asia-Pacific (APAC). The appointment is effective in July 2025.

In her new role, Chan is set to lead Stagwell’s growth strategy and operations across APAC. She will focus on leading its transformation, enhancing capabilities, and forging deeper connections within local markets in the region.

Chan brings decades of expertise in media, marketing, and strategic communications to the company. Before her appointment, Chan served as the chief executive officer of OMD China, driving growth and creativity. She has also held leadership roles at WPP and MEC, now Wavemaker.

She will report directly to Ryan Linder, executive vice president, global chief marketing officer at Stagwell.

“As the global marketing landscape continues to shift, Asia Pacific stands out as a region of extraordinary opportunity. Connie’s leadership will be instrumental as we build a network that not only responds to the complexity of today but sets the pace for what’s next,” Linder said.

Randy Duax, managing director, Asia Pacific at Stagwell, commented,  “Connie doesn’t just drive growth. She builds momentum that breaks the sound barrier. We’ve spent the last three years building the kind of platform the holding companies said couldn’t be done—media, creative, strategy and PR moving as one, built for speed, wired for scale. Connie isn’t here to learn the playbook. She’s here to call the next play.”

“I’ve always believed in the power of strategic clarity and bold ideas. At Stagwell, we have the talent, the ambition, and the platform to build work that matters – and impact that endures,” Chan said.

India –Punt Partners, an integrated marketing transformation firm specialising in martech, AI, and creative technology, has appointed Harsh Shah as managing director of Punt Creative, its creative services division.

Shah brings nearly two decades of experience in brand strategy, integrated campaigns, and creative storytelling. He has held leadership roles at agencies such as VML (formerly Wunderman Thompson) and Dentsu Webchutney.

Over the years, he has also worked with a wide range of brands, including Meta, Google, YouTube, Uber, Flipkart, HUL, P&G, Marico, Tinder, and Tanishq. His work has been recognised and awarded multiple times by various industry bodies.

Speaking on his appointment, Shah said, “Joining Punt Creative feels like a homecoming to everything I love—ideas that move people, a culture that encourages bold thinking, and an ecosystem that’s embracing the evolution of creativity with both arms. Punt’s vision to unify brand, content, commerce, AI and tech is rare and real. I’m thrilled to lead this next chapter with our incredible talent and founding leadership.”

Punt Creative is the creative services arm of Punt Partners, collaborating with clients to develop brand platforms, IPs, and digital-first campaigns. With an approach that integrates content, technology, data, and creativity, the division aims to offer a modern model of advertising for today’s evolving brands.

“Harsh is not only a creative leader but also a strategic thinker who understands the changing face of brand building. His energy, integrity, and deep industry insight will be instrumental as we continue to scale Punt Creative and bring our integrated vision to life,” said Madhu Sudhan, co-founder of Punt Partners.

“We built Punt Creative to challenge the status quo and create brand experiences that deliver impact across platforms. Harsh’s leadership will help us sharpen that promise. His ability to inspire teams and clients alike makes him the perfect partner for our next leap,” added Priyanka Agarwal, co-founder of Punt Partners.

Singapore – Creative agency The Secret Little Agency (TSLA) has appointed Ng Li Ting as business director to boost its earned media capabilities. With the appointment, TSLA aims to improve its creative services by integrating fame, PR, and earned-media communication planning.

In her new role, Ng will work with TSLA’s creative and strategy teams and develop its PR capabilities to enhance the agency’s communications services.

Ng brings over a decade of experience in public relations, with expertise in brand reputation management, storytelling, and influence marketing. Prior to the appointment, she worked with PR agency DeVries Global, where she collaborated with global clients like Procter & Gamble, Kenvue, Merz Aesthetics, Dyson and ASICS.

She also led DeVries Global’s innovation, introducing search-powered PR and the Gen Z incubator to enhance the agency’s capabilities beyond PR.

Ng commented, “Too often, PR gets pulled into creative-led campaigns as an afterthought to demonstrate impact, when it really should be a core consideration from conceptualisation. When I was first approached for the role, I was thoroughly impressed by TSLA’s creative track record in delivering high-quality PR value across most, if not all, of their work. The agency has already been doing amazing work that has earned talkability not just in the region but globally. I look forward to bringing my PR lens to propel the best work of our career, and to learn from some of the industry’s best talent here at TSLA.”

“Our clients have benefited greatly from seeing the work they do with us, out-earn even their paid media campaigns. Li Ting joins at a time of tremendous momentum for the agency, and we are relieved that now we have this capability, at the highest levels, in-house to supercharge our creative ideas and give them the ROI and impact they were truly meant to land in culture,” Eunice Tan, group chief executive officer at TSLA, said.

“In a world where culture is constantly in flux, the ability to craft sharp, resonant narratives and land them in the right moment, through the right voices, is everything. Li Ting joins us with deep experience in doing just that. More importantly, she shares our belief that fame can – and should – serve a higher purpose. For us, public relations is not an add-on, but a vital creative force for us to keep on growing and creating work that makes our children proud,” Tan adds.

Singapore – Socially-led creative agency We Are Social Singapore has promoted Daniel Foo to executive creative director. The appointment makes him part of the leadership team. 

Foo previously served as creative director at We Are Social. Before joining the agency, he worked at Lazada for three years. 

With over 15 years of experience as a creative, he has worked with agencies such as BBH, Grey Group, JWT, and McCann. He has collaborated with clients across tech, banking, tourism, and retail industries.

Foo will be reporting directly to Naiyen Wang, who was recently appointed managing director of Southeast Asia at We Are Social.

Wang commented, “Social is now a core pillar in brand building. Having a creative leader with diverse global, regional and local experiences who is able to translate brand challenges into meaningful and effective through-the-funnel social moments is invaluable. Daniel is able to blend strategic rigour with creative craftsmanship for every brief to elevate the work. In the year that he has been with us, he has proven to be a creative leader who inspires, understands the critical importance of effectiveness and is a true partner to both our teams and clients.”

“Big thanks to Naiyen and the agency for the trust and support. I get to work with a team of absolute killers, which makes making great work fun, to put it simply. Work that gets people talking — not just in the industry, but out in the real world,” Foo said.

We Are Social recently announced the launch of its office in Thailand, supporting more clients in the market. It also recently secured the creator strategy remit of H&M in Asia, boosting the brand’s engagement in the region.

Singapore – Superapp Grab has announced key leadership appointments for its Singapore and Vietnam operations, effective on July 1, 2025. Grab has named Alejandro Osorio and Ma Tuan Trong as managing directors of Singapore and Vietnam, respectively.

Both Osorio and Trong will report directly to Yee Wee Tang, who will transition to his new role as group managing director of operations from his previous position as managing director of Grab Singapore. Tang will oversee operations across multiple countries, ensuring strategic alignment and platform safety.

Osorio currently leads the operations of Grab Vietnam, having held leadership positions in Grab Thailand and Singapore. He first joined the company as director for regional strategy and planning before his country head roles in Thailand and Vietnam.

In Osorio’s new role, he will focus on scaling the GrabCab taxi service, enhancing its accessibility and convenience. He will also integrate Chope’s capabilities for a unified food experience and develop financial products through GrabFin and GXS Bank.

Meanwhile, Trong currently serves as the country commercial head in Vietnam. Having been with Grab for nearly seven years, he has held various leadership roles in marketing, deliveries, and commercials.

Trong will be responsible for expanding Grab’s operations in Vietnam while fostering economic empowerment for its locals.

“These appointments reflect Grab’s investment in talent development and its strong bench of leaders. Alejandro and Trong bring extensive experience and proven track records that will be instrumental in driving innovation and growth. Alejandro’s expertise in leading diverse markets will introduce fresh strategies in Singapore, while Trong’s capabilities in scaling businesses will deepen our reach within Vietnamese communities. Under their leadership, we are confident that we will continue to deliver exceptional value to our users and partners,” Tang said.

Osorio commented, “Singapore’s openness to new ideas and commitment to public-private collaboration have given Grab invaluable opportunities to co-create industry-first solutions that truly make a difference in people’s lives. That spirit of innovation is what draws me back to Singapore once again. I’m excited to deepen our partnerships and learn from our users and partners to co-create meaningful and relevant solutions that meet the evolving needs of Singaporeans.”

“I am truly honoured and proud to be a Vietnamese serving the people of Vietnam and contributing to Grab’s growth journey in my home country. Together with our passionate leadership team and Grabbers across Vietnam, we will continue to leverage our technology and scale to deliver even greater value to our consumers, driver-partners, merchant-partners, and the wider Vietnamese communities. Digitalisation has profoundly improved the lives of our communities, and we are committed to working closely with the government through meaningful public-private partnerships that empower every Vietnamese to access better opportunities in the digital economy and support the nation’s socio-economic progress,” Trong said.

USA –  R/GA has named Urvashi Shivdasani as its new global chief financial officer, the agency’s first global C-suite appointment since regaining independence through a partnership between its management and private equity firm Truelink Capital.

Shivdasani joins R/GA from Huge, where she served as global CFO overseeing finance and operations functions spanning accounting, FP&A, real estate, commercial finance, resource management, and IT. She was also involved in the company’s transition to private equity ownership. Her previous roles include senior finance positions at Ralph Lauren and Discovery Communications.

At R/GA, she will work closely with CEO Robin Forbes and the global leadership team to shape the agency’s financial strategy, improve operational efficiency, and support the shift toward a more flexible, outcomes-based commercial model.

“Urvashi’s extensive experience and strategic acumen will be invaluable as we chart R/GA’s course as an independent agency and activate a new commercial model based on outcomes and not hours. Her track record of driving financial success and operational excellence will be critical as we continue to invest in innovation and new ways of working,” said Forbes.

Shivdasani’s appointment comes as agencies face mounting pressure to move away from traditional payment structures, driven by advances in AI and a growing emphasis on efficiency. She will also be responsible for overseeing the strategic deployment of R/GA’s newly launched $50 million Innovation Fund.

Speaking about her new role, Shivdasani shared, “I’m thrilled to join R/GA at this pivotal moment in its history. The agency’s commitment to innovation and its bold vision for the future were an incredibly compelling opportunity, and one I can’t wait to be involved in. I look forward to partnering with Robin and the leadership team to continue to build a growth organisation for the long term that drives creativity and innovation for our clients.”