Tag: Appointment

China – Global omnichannel media agency Assembly has appointed Karen Ho as its first managing director for Greater China, reinforcing its commitment to expanding in the region and driving client growth. 

In this newly created role, Ho will drive Assembly’s growth in Greater China, supporting clients operating or investing in the region. She will lead initiatives to advance product development, talent acquisition, and technology innovation across the agency’s offices in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, ensuring they are positioned to maximise client impact.

Additionally, Ho will enhance cross-market collaboration and develop integrated solutions to support clients’ local and global ambitions. She will also oversee key client relationships, including Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, APM Monaco, Clarins, and American Eagle Outfitters.

With over 20 years of industry experience, Ho has a proven track record of driving growth and delivering results. At Initiative China, she led market expansion for major clients like Volkswagen Group China, Bridgestone, and GM Ultium, earning the agency multiple industry awards, including Agency of the Year. Her expertise in team building and performance-driven leadership positions her to steer Assembly’s next phase of growth.

Commenting on her appointment, Ho said, “I have long admired Assembly for its bold approach to innovation and commitment to excellence. I resonate deeply with the agency’s proposition to Find the Change to Fuel Growth, something I have been committed to fulfilling throughout my career. I’m energised to partner with their talented teams and clients to unlock new growth opportunities in this diverse and fast-evolving region and drive our next chapter of growth across this diverse and dynamic Greater China region.”

Ho’s appointment aligns with the Assembly’s goal to strengthen APAC leadership and deliver market-specific solutions. Following Vivian Mok’s elevation to North Asia managing director, Ho’s addition reinforces the agency’s commitment to in-market expertise and regional innovation.

Richard Brosgill, APAC CEO of Assembly, said, “Karen is a visionary leader with unparalleled market insights and a true appetite to build. Her leadership will be pivotal as we invest strategically into the Greater China region and look ahead to a new chapter of growth as we continue to deliver campaigns that drive both brand and business impact.”

Singapore – Creative and media agency VaynerMedia has named Marcus Krzastek as international president amidst its global expansion, effective immediately. Krzastek is set to oversee the agency’s operations in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

As VaynerMedia has expanded from its offices in Singapore and London, Krzastek will continue to strengthen its teams and operations in Australia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Amsterdam.

Krzastek has been with VaynerMedia for 15 years, most recently serving as the president of VaynerX company The Sasha Group, where he significantly increased revenue and profitability.

“Marcus has been integral to VaynerMedia’s success since day one. His deep understanding of our business and exceptional leadership make him the perfect choice to accelerate our global growth in this next chapter,” Gary Vaynerchuk, chairman of VaynerX and CEO of VaynerMedia, said.

Krzastek commented, “Over the past 15 years, I’ve witnessed VaynerMedia grow from a scrappy startup into a global powerhouse, creating social-first content for the world’s biggest brands. I’m honoured to take on this new role and excited to build upon the incredible momentum across our international regions.”

Hong Kong – AS Watson Group has appointed Clarice Au as the new chief executive officer of retail Hong Kong, entrusting her with the leadership of its four retail businesses in the city.

Effective 1 March 2025, Au will be responsible for overseeing the management of AS Watson’s four diverse retail businesses in Hong Kong, namely Watsons, PARKnSHOP, Fortress, and Watson’s Wine. 

Speaking about her new role, Au said, “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of CEO of Retail Hong Kong at AS Watson. Since joining the company in 1998, I’ve had the privilege of working across diverse business areas, from airport retail to leading the Fortress team and, more recently, overseeing the MoneyBack loyalty program. These experiences have shaped my passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and fostering innovation.” 

“Looking ahead, my priority will be to build on our strong business foundation while harnessing the talents of our combined teams, as well as close collaboration with our business partners to elevate the customer experience across our network of over 500 O+O stores. As Hong Kong’s retail landscape evolves rapidly, it is essential for us to remain agile and continuously embrace transformation to seize new opportunities and stay ahead,” she added. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Malina Ngai, group CEO of AS Watson, commented, “With over 20 years of extensive management experience at AS Watson, Clarice has consistently demonstrated remarkable leadership. She has been instrumental in driving digital transformation and advancing the growth of both the Fortress retail chain and the MoneyBack multi-brand loyalty program. I am excited to have her expertise guiding our retail businesses in Hong Kong into the future.”

UK –  Former Forsman & Bodenfors CEO Toby Southgate has officially taken the helm as We Are Social’s global group chief executive officer, bringing his expertise in creative leadership to drive the agency’s global growth and innovation.

As global CEO, Southgate will lead We Are Social’s 1,200-strong team across four continents. He will work to enhance collaboration, drive growth, and expand the agency’s creative offerings in partnership with major clients like Samsung, Amazon Music, Starbucks, adidas, Activision, Netflix, and Booking.com.

Southgate previously served as CEO of Forsman & Bodenfors, where he unified global offices post-merger, achieved gender pay equity, and strengthened cross-border collaboration. Under his leadership, the agency worked with major clients like Volvo, Google, Procter & Gamble, and Diageo.

With global experience spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Southgate was also global chief growth officer at McCann WorldGroup, holding regional leadership roles across Europe and the UK. Earlier, he spent a decade at WPP’s Brand Union, leading it to its first major wins at Cannes and the Effies.

Talking about his appointment, Southgate shared, “I’ve long admired We Are Social. It led the way by recognising the power of social and digital platforms for brands at scale, and, as a result, it’s the only truly global agency in its space. Today, We Are Social has an extremely talented team and an incredibly bright future.”

“We’ll be expanding our offering as the world’s most creative social agency, in partnership with what is undeniably a stellar roster of clients. The energy and appetite for growth and evolution with the network is really compelling. The role was very easy to accept,” he added. 

Southgate takes over from We Are Social co-founder and former group CEO Nathan McDonald, who stepped down in October 2024. Brett Marchand, CEO of parent company Plus Company, served as interim CEO.

Marchand commented, “We Are Social has had an extraordinary journey to become the world’s foremost social agency, with a significant global footprint, a talented team, amazing work, and spectacular clients.” 

He continued, “I believe that Toby’s experience in leading multinational agencies to growth, combined with an exceptional leadership team at We Are Social, will be the winning combination to unlock the agency’s full potential. Toby’s passion for creating a culture where people are a priority so they can thrive and do their best work was clear from the outset. He’s a first-class leader who will help steer We Are Social steadfastly into the next stage in its evolution.”

Singapore – Ogilvy has promoted Kunal Jeswani to the role of chief executive officer for ASEAN, a move aimed at driving the agency’s sustained growth and amplifying its creative impact across the region.

In his new role, Jeswani will focus on integrating resources across ASEAN, tapping into each market’s strengths to deliver creative, impactful solutions for clients. This approach combines local expertise with the power of Ogilvy’s regional network for seamless execution.

Jeswani, who joined Ogilvy in 2005, brings over two decades of experience across sectors including CPG, telecom, auto, banking, and tourism. He has led campaigns for major brands, launched a top sports league, and worked on two national election campaigns in India. 

Before overseeing Singapore and Malaysia, Jeswani was CEO of Ogilvy India. Under his leadership, Ogilvy Singapore was ranked the #1 Creative Agency in Asia by the Cannes Lions Creativity Report and named Creative Agency of the Year at the 2025 Singapore Creative Circle Awards. Jeswani also serves on the AAMS Executive Committee and MICA’s Governing Council.

Commenting on his appointment, Jeswani said, “Ogilvy’s network across Southeast Asia is incredibly strong. All of our talent, across the full width of our capabilities, is committed to creative work that drives impact and growth for our clients. I am excited to partner with our leaders across the region to do the best work of our lives, together.”

Jeswani’s promotion to ASEAN CEO reflects Ogilvy APAC’s commitment to growth in the region, strengthening its leadership and positioning ASEAN for continued success and creative impact.

Kent Wertime and Chris Reitermann, co-CEOs of Ogilvy APAC, will continue to lead the region, collaborating with local leaders to drive the agency’s growth and success across APAC.

“Kunal’s track-record of success in India, Singapore, and Malaysia, and his ability to nurture creative excellence, make him the ideal leader for ASEAN. This promotion is not only a recognition of his remarkable contributions but also a reflection of the confidence we have in his ability to shape the future of Ogilvy in this dynamic region,” Wertime said. 

California – OpenX, an omnichannel supply-side platform, has promoted Tyler Romasco to senior vice president of global publisher development as part of the company’s strategy to strengthen global publisher relationships.

With experience in scaling publisher partnerships, Romasco will focus on driving OpenX’s publisher growth across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific in his new role. He will be working with publishers for business development, operations, and account management for revenue growth.

Romasco formerly held the position of vice president of US publisher development before the appointment. Having joined the company in 2019, he first served as senior director of business development, contributing to OpenX’s expansion of offerings in web, app, and CTV.

Before joining Open X, Romasco served as head of strategic partnerships at Sizmek, managing sales and business strategy teams. He also held leadership roles at Rocket Fuel and Pandora.

As he joins the executive team, Romasco will report to John Gentry, chief executive officer of OpenX.

“Publishers are at the core of everything that we do. As our industry experiences significant changes on the identity, CTV, AI, and consumer privacy fronts, I’m looking forward to ensuring OpenX is a trusted advisor when it comes to monetization, data, identity, and privacy-first solutions that drive business outcomes,” Romasco said.

“I’m so proud of OpenX’s incredibly smart and talented teams across the globe who are working relentlessly to solve the most pressing customer challenges and deliver superior results for our partners, including in biddable CTV, where TV by OpenX has increased publishers’ monetized impressions by 22%,” he added.

“Not only is Tyler known for being innovative and solution-oriented, but he has also been instrumental in our CTV expansion, pushing the industry to better leverage biddable CTV solutions and generating considerable incremental revenue for streaming platforms and broadcasters as a result. Tyler’s strength as a people leader, the relationships and respect he’s built in the industry, and his role as a key partner to our buyer development organization will be invaluable as OpenX continues to expand its global publisher footprint,” Gentry commented.

India – FleishmanHillard has appointed Madhulika Ojha as managing director of its India operations, tasking her with driving the agency’s growth, strategy, and transformation in one of its key markets.

Ojha brings nearly 20 years of strategy consulting expertise, specialising in large-scale transformation programs that drive market share growth, enhance shareholder value, and improve operational efficiency through technology. Most recently, she was executive director of EY India’s Strategy and Transactions advisory team, where she guided C-suite leaders across diverse industries.

Her career includes leadership roles at global firms such as Capgemini, Deloitte, TCS, and Tech Mahindra. Ojha has also advised Fortune 500 companies across financial services, consumer, automotive, and life sciences sectors, with experience spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Based in Mumbai, Ojha will lead the strategy, operations, and growth of FleishmanHillard’s India offices. In her new role, she will report directly to Joanne Wong, Asia Pacific president and senior partner.

Wong said, “At FleishmanHillard, we focus on the role communications play in driving business outcomes and influencing C-suite priorities and board discussions. Madhulika’s expertise in post-merger integration, deals and transactions, and the financial communications ecosystem offers us growing opportunities to strengthen our position as a trusted advisor. As India’s business and financial landscape evolves rapidly, her leadership will enable us to better support clients in navigating this dynamic environment. We are thrilled to have her join us and lead the next phase of growth and transformation for our India operations.” 

Wong added, “Our focus for India and the broader APAC region in 2025 is to further solidify our unique position as a business-critical advisor, offering both high-level strategic counsel and robust implementation for clients. With management consulting leaders like Madhulika bringing greater strategic depth, combined with our trusted brand, leading global networks, and comprehensive offerings, we are confident in achieving this priority.” 

Also speaking on her new role, Ojha said, “The FleishmanHillard team in India has built an impressive foundation, and I’m excited to build upon their success. The agency’s commitment to delivering business-informed, technology-powered communications that drive tangible business outcomes aligns perfectly with my passion and professional experience. I look forward to contributing and collaborating with the team to help clients protect, transform, and grow their businesses through strategic communications.” 

Singapore – Design Bridge and Partners (DBP), a brand design company, has appointed Charlie Lowe as its chief strategy officer for Asia-Pacific (APAC), effective immediately.

Lowe brings more than 15 years of agency experience, a decade of which he spent with Ogilvy. 

During his term at Ogilvy, Lowe worked with major brands such as IBM, VW, Nestle, British Airways, InterContinental Hotels, and Huawei. He handled various markets, including Melbourne, Beijing, Singapore, and New York.

Most recently, Lowe served as chief strategy officer at McCann Worldgroup, leading the agency’s growth in Southeast Asia with regional and global campaigns,

“When I started having discussions with Design Bridge & Partners about joining the team, everyone I spoke with was not only incredibly talented but also genuinely nice and engaging. Beyond being impressed by their list of exciting clients and work, I thought, ‘I really want to work with these people,’” Lowe said.

Alexandra Cerruti, APAC managing director of Design Bridge & Partners, commented, “Charlie isn’t your typical brand strategist. With a background in strategy within communications agencies, he brings a fresh and unique perspective to the team. As clients increasingly seek synergies and seamless brand experiences, the lines between branding and communications are becoming ever more interconnected. Charlie’s deep passion for brands, combined with his strategic insight, will be invaluable in helping us deliver holistic solutions that truly resonate with our clients. We’re excited to leverage his expertise to drive success and create meaningful brand experiences.”

Singapore – After achieving sustained growth, LoopMe, the technology company leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance brand advertising performance, has appointed James Parker as its new head of APAC to spearhead its regional expansion efforts.

Based in Singapore, Parker will lead LoopMe’s efforts to expand its footprint across the APAC region, with a particular focus on driving growth in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Greater China Region.

Parker brings extensive industry expertise to LoopMe, joining from MiQ, where he held the role of managing director for Southeast Asia, overseeing strategic growth and regional operations.

Parker’s appointment comes on the heels of LoopMe’s announcement of achieving a fully organic gross revenue CAGR of 40% between 2018 and 2024, along with surpassing $2 billion in total gross revenue.

In addition to Parker’s appointment, LoopMe has expanded its presence in Australia with a new Melbourne office, appointing HS Shin as senior sales manager to grow its client base in Victoria. Meanwhile, Alicia Placer has joined the Sydney office as sales manager, focusing on growth with agency holding groups and independent shops.

Stephen Upstone, CEO and founder of LoopMe, commented, “2024 has been pivotal for our business, opening up a new chapter in our evolution. Off the back of seven years of consistent and stable organic growth, we have now taken advantage of a strong M&A opportunity to accelerate this. APAC is central to our plans for the business, and we see enormous potential in developing the company across the region by tapping into digital advertising’s growth areas.”

He added, “With James joining as the new head of APAC, we are confident that our business in this region will continue its successful expansion; we welcome James, HS, and Alicia to the LoopMe team.”

Thailand – FleishmanHillard has named Atiwat Krisintu as the new general manager of its Bangkok office, taking over from founding general manager Sophis Kasemsahasin, who is retiring after a distinguished career in communications.

In his new role, Krisintu will focus on expanding the agency’s services and enhancing its position in the Thai market, aiming to deliver effective communication strategies and support business outcomes for clients.

Krisintu brings nearly 30 years of experience in corporate strategy and management consulting, including his recent role as director of strategy & business design at Deloitte Consulting. He has also held senior positions at SIAM MAKRO, Central Marketing Group, Coca-Cola, AIM Research, Publicis, and Research International.

Commenting on his new role, Krisintu said, “It is truly tremendous to step into the role of general manager for a team as talented, motivated, and collaborative as the one that Sophis has built. I am excited to work alongside this incredible group and add value for both our clients and teams. By drawing on my experience, I am committed to strengthening our strategic advisory services, expanding our reach through the wider global FleishmanHillard and Omnicom networks, and delivering impactful solutions that meet the evolving needs of the market. Together, we will build on the success of the Bangkok office and take it to even greater heights.” 

As the new GM for Bangkok, Krisintu will report to Joanne Wong, FleishmanHillard’s Asia Pacific president and senior partner. 

Speaking on the appointment, Wong said, “As a seasoned leader with a proven ability to solve complex business challenges and inform high-level strategies for both global and Thai organisations, Atiwat brings invaluable expertise to our team. Building on the solid foundation and stellar reputation that our team in Thailand has established, we are confident that Atiwat will help us further enhance our capabilities, engage deeper with the C-suite, and elevate our position as a business-critical advisor. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team.” 

Wong continued, “In today’s increasingly complex business ecosystem, clients demand communications services that are bespoke, agile, and outcome driven. They expect agency partners to offer not only expertise in crafting strategies aligned with business needs and context but also to execute them with precision and impact. Elevating FleishmanHillard to this unique and competitive position in the APAC region is a top strategic priority for us in 2025, and Atiwat and the Thailand office will play a key role in helping us achieve this vision.” 

Krisintu’s appointment follows the retirement of founding GM Sophis Kasemsahasin, who leaves after more than 25 years in the communications industry, including 11 years at FleishmanHillard. Kasemsahasin established the Bangkok office in 2013 and grew it into one of Thailand’s most reputable agencies.

“We are immensely grateful for Sophis’ significant contributions to our Bangkok operations. Her vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on our people, our clients, and the industry as a whole. Under her management, Thailand has been a key and growing part of our APAC business for over a decade, and we look forward to the next stage of success under Atiwat’s leadership,” Wong commented.