Tag: Appointment

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – SEEK, the parent company of Southeast Asian career platforms JobStreet and JobsDB, has recently welcomed Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim as its newly elected non-executive director during the company’s annual general meeting.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim is the first Asia-based board member in SEEK’s history, aligning with the pivotal role Asia plays in the company’s future growth strategy.

This appointment comes as SEEK sets the foundation for growth of its Asia business through the unification of its three online employment marketplaces – namely SEEK (in Australia and New Zealand), JobStreet (in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore), and JobsDB (in Hong Kong and Thailand). The three-year long investment program is set to complete in the 2024 financial year.

For this role, Ibrahim brings over 40 years of experience in the Southeast Asia region, including over 16 years in information technology and 23 years in telecoms. He also served the Malaysian government in various roles, including being appointed in 2020 by the former prime minister of Malaysia as a member of the then Economic Action Council and of the Digital Economy Council.

Currently, Ibrahim serves as the chairman of government-owned Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, Malaysia’s public transport owner and operator, and chairman of privately owned QSR Brands Holdings Bhd and AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd. He is also a non-executive director of publicly listed Sunway Berhad.

Furthermore, his executive experience also includes being the chief executive officer of Axiata Group Berhad from 2008 to 2020, and as chief executive officer of Maxis Communications Berhad for over eight years prior to that. He also has executive experience with multinational companies, including IBM and Digital Equipment Corporation.

Speaking on his own appointment, Ibrahim said, “I’m honoured to join SEEK’s esteemed board of directors, and am excited to be part of the technology company’s continuous growth journey in Asia. This role is especially meaningful to me as SEEK’s purpose of helping people live more fulfilling and productive working lives and helping organisations succeed aligns with my passion and values. I look forward to contributing my expertise to help SEEK advance its ambitions and make a positive impact on millions of talent and employers in the region.”

Meanwhile, Peter Bithos, chief executive officer of Asia at SEEK, also commented, “Tan Sri Jamaludin joins the SEEK Board at an opportune time. Once our three core online employment marketplaces – SEEK, JobStreet and JobsDB – are unified into a single platform next year, we will have the ability to scale efficiencies and unlock vast growth opportunities across APAC.”

“With Asia being a key market for SEEK, Tan Sri Jamaludin’s vast expertise in the technology sector, as well as his astute understanding of the region’s business landscape will be valuable in guiding us in our journey forward,” he added. 

Lastly, Graham Goldsmith, chairman of SEEK, mentioned, “Tan Sri Jamaludin’s experience in the information technology and telecommunications sectors in Asia and his various current roles, are a valuable addition to the expertise and views on the Board, and supports the achievement of SEEK’s continuing growth aspirations in Asia.”

Singapore – IPG Mediabrands, Interpublic Group’s media and marketing solutions group, announced the appointment of Paul Waller to the newly created job of chief investment officer MAGNA for APAC. Waller will report to Leigh Terry, CEO of IPG Mediabrands APAC, and will be based in Singapore. His appointment is effective immediately.

Waller in his new position of chief investment officer MAGNA APAC, he will be responsible for leading investment performance throughout the IPG Mediabrands group’s agencies in the Asia Pacific area. MAGNA, the network’s global media investment and intelligence firm, will help to aid this endeavour. 

Waller has joined the IPG Mediabrands group, bringing with him trade and investing experience from positions held at GroupM and Omnicom in Singapore, China, Australia, and the UK. He comes to this post after serving as EssenceMediacom APAC’s chief media solutions & investment officer, where he was in charge of overseeing the department throughout 16 markets in the area. 

Speaking about the appointment, Leigh Terry, CEO of Mediabrands APAC, said, “We are very excited to welcome Paul to the IPG Mediabrands network. His track record of executional excellence and delivery, perfectly position him to help drive exponential growth for our client base through optimised trading efficiencies and services.” 

Meanwhile, Waller commented, “I’m thrilled to be joining the team at IPG Mediabrands and collaborating across such a diverse and future focused portfolio of advertisers. As leaders in data management, I believe that MAGNA are perfectly positioned to harness the technology-driven evolution of media and consumer behaviour. I look forward to building on the network’s impressive work in the responsible media communication and sustainability space.” 

Japan – Global creative and media agency VaynerMedia has recently announced its appointment of Kota Murakami as its new country manager for Japan.

In his new role, Murakami will be responsible for shaping the footprint and business expansion for VaynerMedia in the Japanese market, with a focus on growing the agency’s portfolio and ensuring the delivery of business solutions that build clients’ brands while fuelling maximum business impact and cost advantage.

Kota’s expertise lies in seamlessly integrating global innovation with local market insights, holding a proven track record of propelling business growth in the realm of advertising and digital media. Recognised as a trusted advisor to leading brands worldwide, Kota is also adept at steering clients and organisations to challenge industry norms while driving impactful changes.

Prior to joining VaynerMedia, Murakami was with Essencemediacom for over seven years, with his most previous role being the managing director for Japan, wherein he co-led the agency and played a pivotal role in winning key pitches for clients such as Uber and Tiffany & Co. during his tenure. 

He also holds a remarkable track record of successful engagements including leading the Google account at Essence Japan, serving as Global Account Director at Tag in New York, and partnering with renowned brands like Uniqlo, Bayer, and DIAGEO.

Speaking on his own appointment, Murakami said, “I’m really excited about joining the team during this period of growth. VaynerMedia is truly a one-of-a-kind agency; our talented people, empathetic culture and independent mindset allow us to continue our relentless pursuit of consumer attention. This allows us to help marketers deliver unwavering relevance through our modern approach to creative, media, and analytics, or all of the above as a full-service solution.”

“I just know that this will be a game changer for brands in Japan to evolve their marketing, and succeed in the social-first era and beyond. I am looking forward to solidifying VaynerMedia as a key partner for businesses in Japan, enabling them to achieve relevance with consumers, and to meet their business goals for both the present and the future,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Tim Lindley, managing director at VaynerMedia Asia Pacific, commented, “Kota is a fantastic business leader. His unique accomplishments, ambition, and empathetic leadership style excited me from the first moment we met. He possesses amazing insight into the Japanese market, a sharp, global perspective, and a holistic marketing approach that will take us from strength to strength as we continue to bring media, creative, and analytics back together to drive real business impact for our clients.“

“He has an incredible passion for innovation, a track record for nurturing world-class talent, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results. He’ll definitely be a catalyst for our growth in Japan and an exceptional business partner for our growing clientele there. I’m looking forward to building with him, and learning from him, as we continue to grow in Japan and across the Asia Pacific region,” he concluded. 

Murakami will be assuming his role effective immediately and will be reporting to Lindley.

Singapore – Global brand suitability and contextual advertising platform Channel Factory has strengthened their APAC operations, recently appointing Kevin Rooney to managing director for Southeast Asia and India, and Kriti Jetley to head of sales SEA.

In their new roles, Rooney will be assuming overall responsibility for SEA and India and collaborate with other APAC leaders, whilst Jetley will be instrumental in driving Channel Factory’s sales efforts and building on key client relationships in the SEA region. 

With an impressive career spanning over 20 years, Rooney brings extensive expertise in sales, leadership and marketing, having over 19 years across WPP agencies with his former role being APAC CEO for mSix and Partners. His notable achievements include winning Campaign’s New Business Team of the Year and setting two ‘R3 new business leagues’ records.

On the other hand, Jetley brings with her 14 years of experience in the dynamic digital landscape of the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently Head of Product Marketing at TikTok SEA, she has also held senior sales roles at Criteo and Outbrain, bringing with her an extensive knowledge of the digital ecosystem. 

Speaking on his appointment, Rooney said, “I am honoured to join Channel Factory as Managing Director for Southeast Asia and India, and I look forward to driving the company’s growth in these vibrant markets. Channel Factory’s commitment to transforming the media landscape through brand suitability and advanced technology aligns perfectly with my passion for innovation and business development.”

Speaking on her appointment as well, Jetley also mentioned, “I am proud to now be a part of Channel Factory, a company that is at the forefront of revolutionising brand suitability by aligning content seamlessly with advertisers’ needs.”

“In the era of burgeoning User-Generated Content, reaching in-target audiences at scale has become a challenge for brands and the demand for effective brand suitability solutions has never been more critical. I am thrilled to extend my expertise across the digital landscape and contribute to Channel Factory’s mission in this regard,” she added. 

Meanwhile, Alex Littlejohn, managing director of APAC at Channel Factory, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Kevin and Kriti to the Channel Factory team. Their wealth of media and industry experience will contribute significantly to our growth in the APAC region, and we look forward to achieving great success with this robust team.”

New Zealand – Digital content company VideoTaxi (VT) announces the appointment of two new senior roles in the form of Jared Grib as group national sales manager and Calum Davies as marketing and customer experience manager. 

These appointments follow VideoTaxi’s recent client wins, as well as its Wellington office launch last month, advancing VT’s national expansion plans and business model development.

In his new role, Grib will be supporting new business growth across VT and independent communications agency Artemis Communications, bringing his extensive experience in digital strategy and business development from his time as the previous head of growth at Firefly Digital. 

On the other hand, Davies will be further enhancing customer relationships in his new role, with his experience at VT as a content producer and in digital marketing, giving him a unique insight into VT’s evolving customer needs.

Going forward, these appointments prove substantial as VT has recently been engaged by brands and companies such as New Zealand grocery company Foodstuffs North Island, Tui Tuia Learning Circle, iconic Kiwi restaurant chain Cobb & Co, early childhood education provider Best Start, New Zealand’s largest parking provider Wilson Parking and international gym franchise Anytime Fitness, amongst others.

Speaking on these developments, Isobel Kerr-Newell, group CEO of VideoTaxi and Artemis Communications, said, “Visual content is at the heart of modern communications and it is an honour to be trusted as the production partner for more of Aotearoa’s best-known brands. We are also delighted to announce the appointment of Jared Grib and the promotion of Calum Davies.”

“Both are truly multi-talented digital content operators, deeply connected to and passionate about this rapidly evolving space. I know they will bring incredible value to clients and our business as we continue to evolve our offering and footprint,” she added.

Singapore – VCCP Singapore has announced that Ismail Jooma has been appointed as its new head of planning for APAC. 

Jooma has a diversified career journey through several network agencies, bringing a knowledge and perspective on Asian culture and trends. His history includes positions at Ogilvy and TBWA, and he was most recently the head of strategy at VMLY&R Singapore. Prior to this, Ismail was the chief strategy officer at South Africa’s independent agency Brave Group. 

His professional experience includes technology (Apple, MTN), automotive (Hyundai), FMCG (Coca-Cola and Colgate), broadcast (DStv Africa, SuperSport), banking (HSBC, Standard Chartered), fast-food restaurants (KFC, Nando’s), and fashion retail (Nike, Edgars).

Speaking about the appointment, Katya Obolensky, managing director of VCCP Singapore, said, “We could not be more delighted to have Ismail join our leadership team as we continue to strengthen our VCCP offering in Singapore. His wealth of experience, sharp intellect and dynamic approach to problem solving will augment our ability to challenge the categories our clients operate in.”

Meanwhile, Jooma commented, “I’m incredibly excited to be joining an agency with a rich planning culture, one that truly places strategy at the heart of everything it does. Katya and the team are building something special here and I’m keen to bring VCCP’s challenger spirit to more ground-breaking work for our clients across the region.”  

Sydney, Australia – It’s Friday, an independent creative firm, has appointed Heather Sheen as its head of strategy. Sheen will energise the agency’s strategic vision and improve its overall performance by accelerating brand growth. 

Sheen was most recently Head of Strategy at R/GA Australia. Prior to that, she worked at DDB Sydney as a Planning Partner. 

With over 20 years of experience in the field, Sheen has led the way in strategic thinking for companies like Nestlé, Amazon, Westpac, Transport for NSW, and Coca-Cola. 

Speaking about the appointment, Pete Bosilkovski, CEO and Founder of It’s Friday, said, “Heather is the perfect addition to It’s Friday’s leadership. She has had a non-linear path in strategic planning starting out as a creative, where she learnt how the power of strategy could unlock disruptive creativity. Great strategies are useless if they can’t be brought to life effectively and this is one of Heather’s strengths.” 

He added, “Heather is a modern planner bringing with her a tonne of big brand experience like Westpac and Coca-Cola. Heather will be a great influence on our planning department and clients’ businesses. We are just thrilled to have her on board.”

Meanwhile, Sheen expressed, “It’s Friday has experienced phenomenal growth over the past two years. I’m thrilled to be joining Pete, Vince, Jeremy, and the team at such a pivotal point in their journey. I can’t wait to get stuck into driving growth for both clients and the agency.” 

Australia – Australian customer-owned mutual bank Beyond Bank has announced the appointment of digital agency Orchard to support its digital transformation journey.

In this appointment, Orchard’s remit will cover the redevelopment and redesign of Beyond Bank’s website. The full digital transformation is expected to make banking even more seamless and integrated for the bank’s 300,000 customers.

Beyond Bank aims to enhance its customers’ banking experiences across its range of digital platforms, creating a state-of-the-art digital environment.

The Orchard agency’s appointment comes after a competitive bid process. The bank disclosed that alignment of values played a key role in their decision to hand the mandate to the agency.

Wai Kwok, CEO at Orchard, said, “Beyond Bank is driven by a mission to create a banking environment like no other, placing paramount importance on delivering personalised, community-focused experiences.”

“This mission is incredibly aligned to our belief in connected experiences, and to be able to partner with individuals who not only aspire to elevate the banking experience but also share our commitment to values in every aspect of their work is incredibly exciting for us. This partnership reflects Orchard’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the digital landscapes of organisations, ensuring their values align with the communities they serve,” he added.

Speaking on the appointment, Tonina Iannicelli, senior manager digital at Beyond Bank, also shared, “We deeply appreciate Orchard’s dedication to understanding not only our customers but also the essence of Beyond Bank itself. Their commitment to our community-focused banking approach resonated with us, making them the perfect choice for this transformative journey.”

Singapore – Global socially-led creative agency We Are Social has announced its appointment of Omar Sotomayor as its regional executive creative director in Southeast Asia.

In his new role, Sotomayor will oversee the agency’s creative vision and strategy in the region, lead creative excellence, and manage a creative team of more than 30, in locations including Singapore and Indonesia.

He will collaborate with clients, including Samsung Mobile, Netflix, and Google, to deliver innovation and effective creative solutions, while spearheading creative efforts across We Are Social’s specialist offerings in the Southeast Asia region. This includes the agency’s future-tech and innovation arm, .XYZ, which is led by the team in Singapore.

Sotomayor brings 18 years of experience in the advertising industry, and previously was executive creative director & regional community lead at Edelman Singapore, where he helped lead the transformation of the creative department and integrated solutions while driving growth through new business wins.

Speaking on his appointment, Sotomayor said, “I’m excited about We Are Social’s in-house capabilities, talent, and innovative spirit. They have a unique socially-led vision that combines tech and culture, opening doors to creative possibilities. I look forward to learning from the team and helping to reimagine our clients’ businesses.”

Meanwhile, Christina Chong, CEO of We Are Social in Southeast Asia, commented, “I was immediately drawn to Omar’s approach and dedication to his work, his way of thinking, and more generally, his passion for innovation and creativity.His exceptional knowledge and creative experience, alongside his deep understanding of the social and digital landscape, will be invaluable to our clients.”

“His leadership will take our creative teams in Singapore and Indonesia to the next level, all while driving forward the creative offering for .XYZ and in new markets for We Are Social in Southeast Asia,” she added.

Taiwan – Global marketing and advertising agency dentsu has announced the establishment of a new ‘Greater North’ cluster that brings Mainland China and three of the regions in Asia into one structure, with a new leadership team and Jennifer Tang to spearhead as the CEO. 

The new Greater North cluster will merge dentsu’s markets in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan to form one management structure.

With the new cluster, dentsu also announced the appointment of its visionary team of leaders from the agency’s respective markets who are expected to drive success and growth for the new cluster.

Tang, who is currently serving as dentsu Taiwan’s CEO, will take the helm as Greater North’s CEO. She is recognised for her transformative management approach, transforming the Taiwan business with her six-year visionary journey and making it among the strongest in the APAC region. 

She is known for her unwavering focus on integration, innovation, data, and technology, which enabled dentsu Taiwan to capitalise on high growth opportunities by expertly predicting and navigating the changing expectations of consumers and delivering competitive advantage for brands in the market.

Together with Tang, Joshua Wong from dentsu Taiwan will serve as the new cluster’s CFO. He is an innovative and strategic leader who brings a critical commercial lens to investments and operations. Having worked with Tang, he was part of Taiwan’s transformation journey to deliver some of the strongest results in the group.

Chu Yin Mak will remain as dentsu China’s CEO and dentsu APAC’s executive committee member. With 25 years of career experience, his mastery of the varied imaginative value delivery, technology, data, and ecosystem landscape, along with his ability to identify and take action on significant growth opportunities from evolving market conditions, is expected to bring a significant advantage to the group.

Also working with the new group is Simone Tam, who is now appointed CEO for the Greater Bay Area. Tam has been overseeing both Dentsu Creative and dentsu Hong Kong as CEO since 2021 and has been growing both over the course of her career. 

In her new role, she will capitalise on the huge potential of the Greater Bay Area, overseeing a geo-centric business unit comprising the hyper-growth territories of Hong Kong, the Guangdong Province, and Macao as the new CEO. 

Lastly, Donna Kim, dentsu Korea’s CEO, will also join the Greater North cluster’s leadership team. With 30 years of experience building successful domestic enterprises for large global MarComms businesses, she is expected to further drive growth for the group. Her deep level of industry knowledge and thorough understanding of building brands in and out of Korea bring a strong media perspective to the fore. 

Rob Gilby, CEO APAC at dentsu said, “Jennifer is a vocal advocate of co-creation and collaboration, and together with her leadership team will deliver new untapped growth opportunities for both our clients and our business. Bringing together these markets into one management structure with an integrated cluster strategy will enable each leader to spearhead an agenda that benefits all markets, delivering new innovation and client opportunities, improved speed to market, greater autonomy to deliver solutions, and economies of scale aligned to market needs.”

He added, “Jennifer needs no introduction; she has won a number of accolades for her own leadership and the culture she has overseen in the Taiwan business, while her teams have been recognised on the global stage, from Cannes Lions to Spikes, Clios, Madstars, and RECMA. She is a passionate advocate of B2B2S and dentsu’s impact on the communities it’s a part of, living the values that are fundamental to the way we do business.” 

Commenting on her appointment, Tang shared, “We’ve been given a significant opportunity to drive unprecedented scale and build our business around our clients and their needs, which is unique to dentsu and our model in market. The formation of this cluster ultimately drives greater opportunity for our clients, giving them frictionless access to a collaborative community of experts across marketing, consulting, and technology.”

“I am excited to work with the exceptional leaders in Joshua, Chun, Simone, and Donna, who bring significant expertise across a range of specialisms. Together we will drive new growth for brands and opportunities for our people by delivering new services and solutions that tackle our clients’ greatest challenges, fueling our growth and broadening the horizons for professional development within our teams,” she added.