Tag: Appointment

Singapore – Online food delivery platform foodpanda has announced the appointment of John Fang as its new CEO to lead and grow the business in the APAC region. 

Fang will succeed Jakob Angele, former foodpanda CEO for APAC who served for nine years in the company, six years of which as the CEO. 

In his new role, he will continue to lead and grow foodpanda’s business, staying focused on bringing value and purpose to the food and grocery delivery ecosystem that foodpanda serves. 

Fang has been with foodpanda for six years, taking various leadership roles since he joined in 2017. He served as CEO for foodpanda Taiwan in 2017 and most recently held the position of chief international officer at Delivery Hero, where he managed business operations across foodpanda’s 11 markets.

Prior to joining foodpanda, he also served as the chief operations officer for global e-commerce marketplace Groupon Taiwan.

Fang’s appointment comes weeks after Delivery Hero, foodpanda’s owner company, announced that it will be selling foodpanda’s activities in select markets in Southeast Asia. 

Malaysia – Warner Music Malaysia has named Dinesh Ratnam as its new managing director. He will be reporting to Chris Gobalakrishna and Jonathan Serbin, co-presidents of Warner Music Asia in this capacity. He will be a member of the regional executive team for Warner Music, where he will also play a crucial role.

Ratnam, who is based in Kuala Lumpur, will be in charge of overseeing Warner Music’s operations in Malaysia. He will oversee initiatives for strategic growth and work to improve the company’s market presence.

Ratnam offers years of experience from the content, technology, and entertainment sectors to his new role by drawing on his extensive industry background. He was part of the global expansion of iQiyi, a premium video on-demand streaming service, before he joined Warner Music.

In his time in iQiyi, he was the country manager for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei and worked as a senior director in the international business department there. Ratnam played an important role in the expansion of iQiyi in Southeast Asia by helping to establish the company’s presence there. 

Ratnam previously held a number of key positions at iflix, a video-on-demand service. He was helping in corporate development, business management, and the expansion of iflix’s operations in Malaysia during his time there. He also worked as a director in the CEO’s Office at Catcha Group, one of Southeast Asia’s internet groups. In this role, he was in charge of the group’s technology and media investments in Southeast Asia. 

At J.P. Morgan, Ratnam started his career as an investment banker. He worked for Morgan in the San Francisco and London offices. He focused on the media, telecommunications, and technology industries and offered advisory services for a range of transactions.

Speaking about his appointment, Ratnam said, “I am honoured and excited to join Warner Music Malaysia. Music is the heartbeat of modern media, weaving together stories, experiences, and emotions in ways that resonate with audiences, making it pivotal in shaping contemporary culture. This is a remarkable opportunity to collaborate with a talented team and further elevate the visibility and success of our artists both locally and globally.” 

He added, “I firmly believe in the immense potential of Malaysian music talent to further cultivate profound influence and impact beyond just the shores of the country. I look forward to leveraging Warner Music’s rich catalogue and resources to create new avenues for growth and innovation.” 

Meanwhile, Gobalakrishna said, “With its vibrant diversity and immense talent, the Malaysian music scene serves as a vital hub for cultural exchange and artistic expression. Dinesh’s appointment signifies our dedication to nurturing this thriving ecosystem. With his wealth of experience and innovative approach, we are confident that Dinesh will play a pivotal role in amplifying the influence of Malaysian music, fostering collaboration, and unlocking new opportunities for our artists across the region.”

Serbin expressed, “We are thrilled to have Dinesh on board. His extensive experience, strategic mindset, and passion for the industry make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. We have every confidence that Dinesh will play a vital role in driving Warner Music’s continued success in Malaysia.”

Jakarta, Indonesia – Global fashion brand ALDO has appointed Dentsu Creative Indonesia to implement an innovative marketing and promotional campaign to expand its footprint in SEA beyond Indonesian borders.

This strategic collaboration marks a significant step in ALDO’s growth journey, aiming to captivate the thriving markets of the Philippines and Vietnam by leveraging Dentsu Creative’s expertise in executing these strategies.

In the partnership, Dentsu Creative will provide a comprehensive range of solutions including a creative ideation and development and a 360-degree campaign strategy, encompassing social media engagement, influencer management, in-store activations and dynamic digital out-of-home advertising as well as project management and production.

Speaking about the partnership, Wisnu Satya Putra, CEO of creative at dentsu Indonesia, said, “Our partnership with ALDO exemplifies the power of ‘gotong royong’ – the intrinsic value of collaboration and integration across services. Combining all our expertise, blended with insights into creative innovation, powered by modern creativity, we will propel ALDO’s brand presence in the competitive APAC market, and set them apart from competitors.”

Cheuk Chiang, CEO, Dentsu Creative APAC, also added, “Our partnership with a great global brand like ALDO allows us to unlock the full potential of our creative offering across earned, entertainment and experience. They are clients that truly appreciate the power of great creativity and its ability to transform brands and businesses through work that creates culture, changes society and invents the future.”

Meanwhile, Zaid Bitar, vice president, international marketing & digital at ALDO Group International, commented, “Our consumers need to know ALDO’s unique selling point: style and comfort. With Dentsu’s; expertise, our USP transforms from words into a tangible force that captures hearts, empowers choices and style through confidence for our local consumers.”

Singapore – Independent creative agency GOVT Group has officially launched MINISTRY, a hybrid consulting and agency model, and has appointed Kelvin Koo as its new managing director and partner.

MINISTRY is a digital consultancy dedicated to driving digital growth and transformation tailored to the contemporary needs of business owners and marketing leaders.

The newly launched agency will focus its offerings on ensuring growth for its clients. It is committed to a holistic approach to digital growth and transformation, providing strategic consulting and execution across diverse domains, including social and content, UI/UX, tech, digital media, CRM, and data analytics.

And to lead the MINISTRY, GOVT has brought in Koo as its managing director and partner, who was back in the agency world after a brief hiatus.

Earlier this year, Koo joined GOVT as a consultant, contributing to the agency’s strategic efforts to bolster its digital capabilities. This collaboration has culminated in the assembly of a robust team of specialists adept at delivering comprehensive digital marketing solutions, including data analytics, digital product planning, and expert consultation for seamless digital ecosystem integration and implementation.

His decision to return was sparked by the compelling vision and ambition of the partners at GOVT Group and the unique opportunity to construct an agency model with a distinctive culture.

Koo’s wealth of experience comes from his previous roles, serving as CEO at FALCON Agency and managing director at ADK Connect.

MINISTRY will leverage Koo’s extensive expertise as it aims to integrate strategic advisory and data with creative storytelling, design, tech, and digital performance to deliver tangible, impactful results.

Together with Koo, GOVT also appointed Foong Min Mei as the new growth director and partner at MINISTRY. Prior to her appointment, she worked as a digital and social lead at GOVT Singapore.

Leon Lai, co-founder and CEO at GOVT Group, said, “Our vision has stayed the same since Day 1: create a company that has longevity, possesses ambition, and champions foolish bravery. It has been 11 years since we started this journey, but we’re still not done or content with what we have built. As a partner-led business, we’re excited to attract someone of Kelvin’s calibre onboard this journey as we take deliberate steps towards fulfilling our mission of being a leading Asian communications company.” 

Also commenting on the appointment, Alvina Seah, group managing director at GOVT Group, said, “Kelvin’s leadership and proven track record in building agencies and delivering results-driven digital solutions to clients make him the ideal figure to spearhead MINISTRY. His commitment to growth and culture aligns perfectly with our mission, making this collaboration strategic and synergistic.” 

Meanwhile, Koo commented, “Our game plan at MINISTRY is straightforward: marry sharp strategic advice with creativity, the latest tech, and strong digital know-how. This way, we can get into the nitty-gritty of what CMOs and business owners are up against and offer them insights and solutions that hit the mark.”

Sydney, Australia – Brand and digital studio Koto has announced the appointment of Melissa Baillache as executive creative director for APAC to expand the studio’s presence in key regional markets.

In her new appointment, Baillache will be based at the Sydney studio and will spearhead Koto APAC’s creative efforts, working closely with Damian Borchok, Koto APAC managing director, and Gerald Torto, senior strategy director, as integral members of the studio’s senior leadership team.

Baillache brings with her over 15 years of experience with branding, digital, and advertising, allowing her to focus on turning challenges into transformative solutions that prioritise human experiences. She has a firm belief in a design’s capacity to challenge conventional thinking and drive meaningful change.

Prior to her appointment, she had several collaborations with a wide range of domestic and international clients, such as Culture Amp, Macau Grand Prix Museum, the NSW Government, and the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre. Some of her recent and notable clients are Netflix, Tech Central, Sydney Film Festival, Blue Mountains Council, and The U Group.

Her work encompasses the creation of new brands, the design of immersive physical experiences, and the reimagining of products. She has garnered various recognitions from international award bodies and is committed to design education, serving as a mentor and guest lecturer for D&AD New Blood, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creatives.

Baillache also reunites with Damian Borchock, with whom she had a successful eight-year collaboration when she formerly served as executive creative director at For The People.

Koto’s appointment of Baillache comes as the studio aims to expand its presence in key regional markets, including Australia, India, Singapore, and South Korea.

Speaking of the new hire, Damian Borchok said, “It’s great to be working with Mel again. We both see so much potential to build on Koto’s reputation for collaborating with startups and scaleups looking for breakthrough success. APAC is home to some of the most dynamic economies in the world. We’re keen to be part of making it equally one of the most dynamic regions for brands. ”

Also commenting on her new role, Baillache shared, “Koto is that rare type of business that chooses to lean all the way into an optimistic and creative culture to create brands that better serve both clients and the people they exist for. And the work is world-class. So, the opportunity to build on their already impressive track record with a distinctive APAC flavour is a very compelling one, if you ask me. One impossible to say no to. I couldn’t be more excited to join Koto in this new chapter, partnering with the brilliant leadership team of Damian and G.”

Sydney, Australia – Global online community for creative assets and tools, Envato, has announced the appointment of Noelle Kim as the new chief marketing officer to further support creatives worldwide through technology and innovation.

Kim’s appointment comes as Envato continues to evolve and strengthen its role as a creator ally to creators in line with a rapidly evolving industry.

In her new role, she is expected to drive company growth with a level of expertise set to elevate the Envato brand, reinforcing its commitment to growing its creative community and its vision of empowering creatives worldwide.

Kim brings with her an expansive portfolio of experience having served in several senior leadership roles, including chief marketing officer and chief operating officer at Airtasker, where she launched a rebrand and drove international growth strategy and execution.

Previously, she also served as the global consumer marketing lead for Google Home and the APAC head of marketing for Meta across its family apps, Facebook, Whatsapp, and Instagram.

Hichame Assi, CEO at Envato, said, “With Noelle’s extensive experience working with industry-leading tech companies, we’re confident she will play a pivotal role in elevating the Envato brand. Her expertise, innovative approach, and alignment with Envato’s values will help us connect with our community, grow our audience, and empower creatives to thrive. We’re excited to see Noelle’s impact at Envato as we continue to evolve and push the creative boundaries of our industry.”

Commenting on her appointment, Kim shared, “I’ve always been excited about the possibilities that technology unlocks and telling these stories in a simple way. Envato is an incredible, values-based company that cares deeply about its users and contributors—the creative community. I’m interested to see what’s next for the industry, as it continues to be disrupted by AI, and excited about the solutions we’re working on to support and enable our creative community through this evolution.”

Australia – Digital marketing and automation platform Constant Contact has announced its appointment of Renee Chaplin as its new vice president of Asia-Pacific. 

In her new role, Chaplin will be responsible for leading Constant Contact’s growth in the APAC region and will be scaling its operations. 

Based in the company’s APAC headquarters in Brisbane, Chaplin brings over 20 years of experience growing B2B brands. Prior to joining Constant Contact, Chaplin also worked for a variety of technology companies, from Australian start-ups to multinational SaaS organisations specialising in AI, automation, customer experience and billing technology.

This strategic hire represents Constant Contact’s continued investment into growing its presence in Australia following the acquisition of Vision6 in 2022, as Chaplin will help drive broader awareness and adoption of Constant Contact’s digital marketing platform in APAC and deliver value to customers in that region. 

Speaking on her appointment, Chaplin said, “Constant Contact is well known globally for being a pioneer of digital marketing innovation in the small business space, and the company’s recent advancements in AI and marketing automation make this an exciting time to join the organisation.”

“Our Vision6 product is already Australia’s most reliable email marketing and SMS platform with sovereign onshore data storage and local customer support. I look forward to growing Constant Contact’s APAC business and helping our customers and agency partners develop stronger relationships with their customers”, she added. 

Meanwhile, Frank Vella, CEO at Constant Contact, commented, “We’ve invested in APAC through our acquisition of Vision6, and we see an opportunity to build on that momentum to deliver even more value to our global customers and partners. I am confident that Renée’s experience and local presence will help accelerate our efforts in APAC and make an immediate impact on our business and our customers’ businesses within the region.”

Australia – CHEP Network has recently announced its appointment of Robert Stone as the agency’s director of people and culture.

In his new role, Stone will be leading the agency’s people and culture initiatives, in addition to joining the businesses executive leadership team.

Stone joins from Wunderman Thompson where he held the role of chief people officer across Australia and New Zealand. In addition to his time at Wunderman Thompson, Stone has held senior leadership positions at McCann in the UK, Asia and in Australia, and Adidas in Germany, where he oversaw the brand’s talent initiative.

Speaking on his appointment, Stone said, “It might sound weird coming from a People & Culture guy, however, I really care about ‘the work’ and I believe that we have one of the most exciting and interesting agency offerings, that is producing world class creative due to our deep Tech, Data, Media, PR and Experience capabilities.”

Meanwhile, Lee Leggett, CEO at CHEP Network, commented, “I couldn’t be happier to have Rob joining the team. Not only is he a brilliant people and culture leader, but he cares deeply about our industry and the work, and that comes through in his approach. I’m looking forward to seeing the positive impact he has on our people and our business.”

Indonesia – Wunderman Thompson has named Samir Gupte as the new chief executive officer for its operations in Indonesia. 

Gupte comes from Ogilvy, where he most recently served as executive director and head of operations, and brings with him more than 25 years of experience within WPP.

Gupte spent 23 years with Ogilvy, dividing his time between Indonesia and India. He moved from India to Indonesia in 2013 and began working for OgilvyAction as the managing director. He led in the merger that created Geometry Global at this time. He made a transition to SohoSquare, Ogilvy’s second integrated agency, later in 2016.

After serving in that capacity for two years, Gupte was appointed managing director of Ogilvy Indonesia. In this role, he oversaw client interactions and built a diverse, effective team. The agency acquired clients during his leadership, including Kimberly-Clark Softex, Converse, Sunpride, and Asian Paints. 

Speaking about his new role, Gupte said, “I am really excited about this next chapter in my career. Having worked very closely with Wunderman Thompson teams on key clients like Nestle and Unilever, I am aware of the sheer talent and the potential that exists within the agency. The current leadership team has done a great job of consolidating the different services within the agency. My focus now will be to strengthen our capabilities in CX, data, content and ecommerce, and drive growth for our clients in Indonesia.”

Meanwhile, Audrey Kuah, APAC CEO of Wunderman Thompson, remarked, “Samir brings vast integrated marketing experience growing some of the world’s largest brands in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. His expertise in integrating brand, digital, data and technology, combined with his growth ambition for us, we are pleased to have Samir join our leadership team.”

Manila, Philippines – Initiative, a media agency within IPG Mediabrands, has announced their appointment as the media agency of record for Philippine food and beverages company Monde Nissin through the launch of ‘Crave’, their dedicated team assigned exclusively to the company. 

Initiative’s appointment encompasses all media and buying duties for all brands across Monde Nissin and Monde M.Y. San. With resources and expertise from the IPG Mediabrands network, Crave is well-positioned to elevate the partnership.

Gen dela Peña, media communications head of Monde Nissin, said, “Initiative’s focus on business KPIs as the starting point for media decisions is exactly what we are looking for today. Given today’s complex media landscape, we are looking forward to how Initiative and Team Crave will guide us on how to plan media more efficiently and effectively, with a clear focus on achieving the right metric for success.”

Melody Laogan, managing partner, Initiative Philippines, added, “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Monde Nissin and launch Team Crave. This marks the beginning of an exciting journey of pushing boundaries and changing the game together.”

Meanwhile, Paul Atienza, managing partner, Initiative Philippines, also commented, “This epic win is testament to Initiative’s modern and outcome-driven approach to integrated strategic planning. We cannot wait to join forces and craft unparalleled consumer experiences to grow Monde Nissin brands through our Fame and FlowTM model.”