Tag: Appointment

Singapore – FleishmanHillard has appointed Thomas Skelton as the new regional lead for its research and analytics practice, TRUE Global Intelligence (TGI), overseeing operations across the Asia Pacific region.

Based in Singapore, Skelton will lead the growth and operations of TGI in APAC, driving the agency’s expanding research and analytics capabilities to deliver actionable, data-driven insights and solutions for clients throughout the region.

Skelton brings extensive experience from consultancy and in-house roles across the UK, China, and Singapore, with a strong track record in developing data-driven strategies for both global and local organisations in APAC. Before joining FleishmanHillard, he led the APAC Consultancy Practice at TEAM LEWIS, overseeing research and analytics across six markets. Previously, he was senior manager of communications strategy, APAC, at Cision. 

In his new role, Skelton will report to Joanne Wong, APAC president and senior partner at FleishmanHillard.

“Tom’s deep understanding of the region and proven expertise in research and analytics will be invaluable to the team as we continue to elevate the impact of our TGI offering and better serve clients in APAC. His appointment is also a testament to our strategic focus on embedding data and intelligence in every aspect of our work, seamlessly blending data, communication expertise, and creative brilliance to create outcomes that truly matter to our clients’ businesses,” Wong said. 

She continued, “Our clients are navigating an increasingly complex business ecosystem, requiring communications to be more bespoke and outcome driven than ever before, which is only possible with the power of data. As we work to elevate our unique position as the communications advisor who can deliver both intelligence-informed strategy and impactful execution in 2025, Tom’s leadership and the entire TGI team will play a key role in driving this vision forward.” 

FleishmanHillard’s TGI practice provides key insights into clients’ stakeholders, competitive landscapes, and outcomes, helping create meaningful audience connections to drive success. Powered by the OPRG Data Stack, the practice offers a range of consulting services across key APAC markets, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and India.

Marjorie Benzkofer, global lead of TGI, said, “Data and analytics are at the heart of our global strategy to drive value and innovation for clients worldwide. Tom’s leadership will be instrumental in further integrating these capabilities into our APAC operations, equipping our teams to deliver transformative, market-specific solutions. We’re excited to welcome him to the TGI team and leverage his unique experiences and insights from the APAC perspective, which is increasingly vital to our clients and business globally.” 

India – Enormous Brands has appointed Akshat Trivedi as its national creative director – West, bringing onboard a seasoned creative leader renowned for his impactful campaigns and innovative storytelling.

Trivedi transitions to Enormous Brands from The Womb, where he served as creative partner and played a pivotal role in crafting iconic campaigns for brands like Fogg and Saregama Carvaan. 

At Enormous, Trivedi will lead the creative vision for the western region, driving innovative campaigns and cultivating a culture of creativity across diverse client portfolios. He will mentor creative talent and ensure the agency delivers work that exceeds audience expectations.

Before joining Enormous, Trivedi built an impressive career at Ogilvy, Ibs Fulcro, and The Womb, where he consistently delivered impactful, results-driven campaigns. His portfolio includes work for leading brands like Fogg, Saregama Carvaan, Piramal Finance, Star Plus, Astral, Vicco, Cadbury Perk, and Mumbai Indians. At Ibs Fulcro, he was instrumental in creating award-winning campaigns for UPI, Kotak, and Bajaj Electricals, effectively blending digital and traditional creative approaches.

A storyteller at heart, Trivedi co-wrote the screenplay and dialogue for the feature film Trial Period, earning Filmfare OTT Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Dialogue, showcasing his talent for crafting compelling narratives.

Trivedi’s appointment underscores Enormous’ dedication to pushing creative boundaries and driving exceptional innovation.

Speaking on his new role, Trivedi said, “As I write this, it has already been a few days working with the super talented bunch of people at Enormous. Their minds are always buzzing with ideas, and their hearts not only applaud individuals in the team but also celebrate great advertising work, no matter which agency or place they come from. I believe it comes from or rather multiplies by the way Ashish thinks and feels about advertising. I am thrilled to be a part of the Enormous team and look forward to creating great work together.”

Ashish Khazanchi, managing partner & CCO at Enormous Brands, stated, “Akshat’s work speaks volumes. His ability to blend compelling storytelling with a nuanced understanding of consumer behaviour sets him apart. At Enormous, we’re committed to redefining creativity in the industry, and Akshat’s leadership will be instrumental in this journey.” 

Singapore – Criteo has officially appointed Michael Komasinski as its new chief executive officer and board member, succeeding Megan Clarken, who recently announced her retirement.

With over 20 years of experience in AdTech, Komasinski joins Criteo with a strong track record of building global brand and retail relationships. He has consistently driven profitable growth for leading organisations by leveraging technology-driven strategies while fostering an inclusive work environment.

Komasinski is currently CEO of the Americas and president of global data & technology at dentsu, where he joined through the 2016 Merkle acquisition. He became global CEO of Merkle in 2021, leading a technological transformation that integrated AI into dentsu’s products, enhancing client value and driving major enterprise wins. He also expanded Merkle’s retail media consulting practice and merged it with dentsu’s media buy-side capabilities.

Before joining dentsu, Komasinski led over 14,000 employees across 50+ locations at Merkle. He has held leadership roles at Razorfish, Schawk Retail Marketing, Nielsen, and A.T. Kearney. Komasinski also serves on the Ad Council’s board and the client advisory boards of Meta and Microsoft.

Commenting on his appointment, Komasinski said, “Criteo’s transformation into a global commerce media powerhouse and AdTech leader has been inspiring, and I am excited and energised to serve as the company’s next CEO and build on this momentum.” 

“There are massive growth opportunities in media today with new advancements in AI and a global rise in e-commerce, which are driving hyper-personalised consumer touchpoints across more content and devices than ever before. I’m thrilled to be partnering with Criteo’s talented team, who has built incredible assets in AI over the years, to deliver compelling commerce solutions for our clients and drive shareholder value,” he added. 

Criteo’s Board of Directors has appointed Komasinski as CEO, with his new role taking effect on February 15, 2025. He will succeed Clarken, who will transition to a senior advisory role to support a smooth handover.

“We ran a comprehensive search process to identify the next CEO of Criteo to ensure we have the right leader to spearhead the next phase of the company’s AI-fuelled transformation and vision as the world’s leading commerce media platform,” said Rachel Picard, chair of Criteo’s board of directors. 

“We are thrilled that Michael is joining us to lead Criteo at this exciting time in our journey. Michael is a high-caliber executive with the ideal mix of skills, including tech-enabled product development expertise, hands-on experience managing brand and retailer relationships, and a proven ability to drive accelerated growth and scale globally. Over the course of his career, Michael has also demonstrated a collaborative approach to management that has galvanised global organisations to lead in digital marketing and technology. We are  confident that Michael will bring a valuable perspective to drive Criteo’s strategy forward, further enhancing our commerce and retail media leadership, and building on our strong momentum thanks to Megan’s critical contributions and the dedication of the entire team,” Picard added. 

Indonesia – Cheil Indonesia has announced the appointment of Fajar NF as its new executive creative director, marking a significant move as the agency continues to enhance its creative leadership. 

As the newly appointed ECD, Fajar will spearhead Cheil Indonesia’s creative direction, overseeing the agency’s diverse portfolio while driving its mission to deliver innovative and impactful campaigns. His ability to blend creativity with data-driven insights will play a crucial role in enhancing the agency’s regional standing and ensuring its continued success in the competitive market.

With over 21 years of creative leadership at top-tier agencies across Indonesia, Fajar has crafted award-winning, culturally resonant campaigns for leading global brands. His impressive portfolio boasts prestigious accolades, including a Grand Prix at Citra Pariwara, multiple AdFest awards, and a Yellow Pencil at D&AD.

Before joining Cheil, Fajar served as senior creative director at Innocean Indonesia, where he worked with a diverse range of brands across sectors like technology, smartphones, automotive, banking, and FMCG, delivering campaigns recognised both locally and internationally. He also spent 14 years at Hakuhodo Indonesia, further honing his creative expertise.

Commenting on his appointment, Fajar said, “I am thrilled to join Cheil Indonesia at such an exciting time. This is an incredible opportunity to contribute to the agency’s legacy of creative excellence and develop campaigns that connect brands with audiences in meaningful ways.”

Joo Hwan Kim, president director at Cheil Indonesia, also shared, “Fajar’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the agency as we continue to expand and enhance our creative output. His expertise in crafting culturally impactful campaigns and his passion for innovation will be integral to our success as we look to elevate our creative offering and strengthen our position in the market.”

Singapore – Publicis Groupe Asia Pacific has appointed former OMD USA executive Suhaila Hobba as its new APAC global client partner – transformation, reinforcing its commitment to driving client growth and innovation across the region.

Hobba brings 25 years of global media experience spanning agency leadership, ad tech sales, and client-side transformation, with key roles at Amazon, Yahoo, Omnicom, and IPG.

In her new role, Hobba will join the leadership team driving transformation for Publicis Groupe’s key global clients across APAC. She will relocate from Los Angeles to Singapore, where she will report directly to Asia Pacific CEO Jane Lin-Baden.

Hobba will work closely with capability leads and in-market champions to craft strategic solutions and implement transformation initiatives that support clients’ growth ambitions. This includes spearheading the integration and adoption of Publicis Groupe’s AI technologies to deliver measurable impact in the fast-evolving APAC market.

Commenting on the appointment, Lin-Baden said, “As we accelerate our growth in 2025, we have made strategic hires to strengthen our regional leadership team. We are delighted to welcome Suhaila Hobba to the Publicis family, and I am confident that Suhaila’s global experience and expertise will be a great asset to our team in empowering clients in their transformation agenda.” 

Before joining Publicis Groupe, Hobba was chief media officer at OMD USA, leading media, content, and commerce strategies to drive client growth. Previously, she served as global head of digital at Amazon’s in-house agency, MODE, where she built programmatic and paid social capabilities. Over the past decade, she has specialised in integrating data, technology, and innovation to position organisations for long-term success.

“I’m thrilled to join Publicis Groupe at a time when its investment in AI and innovation is leading the way in transformation. By harnessing strategic vision in combination with technology and AI, we can deliver meaningful impact for our clients. I look forward to working with the teams across the region to dive deep into our clients’ businesses, uncover opportunities, and help them accelerate growth and scale,” Hobba shared. 

India – Ankit Goyle has officially joined Snap Inc. as head of India marketing, following a successful nine-year tenure at Apple India, where he played a key role in shaping the brand’s marketing strategy.

In his new role, Goyle will establish and lead the marketing function in India, driving efforts to support Snapchat’s mission of empowering self-expression and fostering meaningful connections.

Goyle brings 17 years of marketing experience across sectors like consumer durables, technology, retail, and fashion, with expertise gained from working with prominent brands such as Apple, Myntra, Aditya Birla, and Google.

Before joining Snap, Goyle spent nine years at Apple India as head of category marketing and demand generation for iPhone and AirPods. During his tenure, he spearheaded national ATL and BTL campaigns across multiple channels. He project-managed successful product launches, collaborating with teams across marketing, sales, PR, and distribution. 

Goyle also conceptualised INDIAiSTORE.com, Apple’s first global channel product and store platform in India, and drove digital transformation with partners and distributors. Additionally, he implemented innovative O2O programs, led co-marketing partnerships with major retailers, and ensured seamless execution across teams.

In a LinkedIn post, Goyle said, “A heartfelt thank you to my mentors and teammates at Apple for shaping my journey. Here’s to new beginnings and exciting opportunities! Let’s Snap into the future!”

India – After nearly three years with Zalora Group in Singapore, Achint Setia is returning to India to take on the role of chief executive officer at Snapdeal, the e-commerce platform under AceVector Group.

In a LinkedIn post, Setia announced his appointment as CEO, highlighting his commitment to serving Snapdeal’s extensive consumer base and unlocking the vast “untapped” potential of India’s e-commerce market.

“[I am] humbled and supercharged to take on my next mantle of serving Snapdeal and millions of consumers in the large untapped value e-commerce market in India. Thank you [co-founders] Rohit Bansal, Kunal Bahl, and the AceVector board for entrusting me with this responsibility,” he wrote. 

Setia’s appointment at Snapdeal follows closely on the heels of his recent departure from Zalora.

Setia most recently served as chief revenue & marketing officer and country managing director at Zalora Group, where he managed the P&L for key markets, including Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. He also led the group’s marketing and ad sales efforts across Southeast Asia, covering major markets such as Indonesia and the Philippines.

Prior to Zalora, he held senior leadership roles at prominent companies, including CXO and head of marketing & social commerce at Myntra, as well as senior vice president of digital ventures and head of VStEP at Viacom18 Media Private Limited.

India – Havas India has appointed Manas Lahiri as its new chief growth officer, tasked with driving accelerated growth and fostering innovation across the network’s 25 companies.

In this newly created role, Lahiri will collaborate closely with Havas India’s executive leadership team to drive strategic growth initiatives, strengthen client partnerships, and lead innovative business opportunities across the network’s 25 agencies nationwide.

Lahiri brings over 20 years of experience in advertising, brand marketing, and business leadership, having held senior roles at agencies like VML India, Ogilvy, McCann, and Contract India. He has worked with major brands such as Samsung, Lenovo, Amazon, Coca-Cola, and Reckitt, starting his career in client-side sales and marketing before transitioning to advertising, giving him a comprehensive understanding of both sectors.

With this appointment, Lahiri returns to Havas India after holding multiple roles from 2018 to 2023, including managing director of Havas Creative India (formerly Havas Worldwide India). During his previous tenure, he reshaped the agency, driving key business wins, strengthening client relationships, and developing growth strategies that delivered impactful results.

Most recently, Lahiri served as executive growth partner at VML India, where he played a key role in expanding the agency’s footprint and securing several major accounts.

Speaking about his new role, Lahiri said, “I am thrilled to rejoin Havas India at such an exciting juncture. Havas has always been close to my heart, and the network’s journey of transformation into a consolidated, client-centric ecosystem is truly inspiring. I look forward to contributing to this next phase of growth by driving meaningful partnerships, fostering innovation, and building on the strong foundation created by Rana and the team. I look forward to partnering with all the fabulous leaders in this journey.”

Lahiri will be based in Mumbai and report to Rana Barua, group CEO of Havas India for SEA and North Asia (Japan & South Korea).

Commenting on the appointment, Barua explained, “Manas’ return to Havas India comes at a crucial time as we continue our strong momentum as a proven integrated and future-facing network. With Havas India’s phenomenal transformation over the past few years, we needed a proven leader to scale our growth ambitions further. Manas’ strategic acumen, extensive industry experience, and deep understanding of our network’s values make him the ideal choice to take on this role. He will also be pivotal in advancing our converged strategy, working closely with Sanchita Roy and John Thangaraj—our respective chief strategy officers of the media & creative networks.”

India – RepIndia, an India-based digital agency, has announced key leadership promotions, elevating Neelanjan Dasgupta, Durgesh Tiwari, Sanya Sitlani, Nitin Sharma, and Guru Mishra to new roles. These changes underscore the agency’s commitment to enhancing its digital capabilities and fostering innovation.

The five senior team members promoted have played a pivotal role in driving RepIndia’s success and innovation over the years. These promotions are designed to strengthen the agency’s core leadership and accelerate growth across various digital verticals.

Previously serving as creative head (West), Dasgupta has been appointed vice president of creative strategy and innovations. During his tenure, he delivered award-winning campaigns and onboarded high-profile clients including JSW Steel, JSW Energy, MTV, JBL, Joyville, Amante, Amazon Mini TV, and many more.

In his new role, he will focus on enhancing RepIndia’s creative offerings and driving innovative solutions across markets.

Speaking on his promotion, Dasgupta said, “RepIndia has taught me everything I know about advertising. It has provided me with a safe space to grow, where accountability and kindness go hand in hand. I will always carry these values as a leader and professional.”

Following suit, Tiwari has also been promoted to associate vice president for listening, ORM, and analytics.

Previously senior account director, Tiwari grew his team from 20 to over 100, significantly boosting the agency’s capabilities in social listening, ORM, and analytics. His strategic leadership has been key in acquiring major clients like NPCI, DigiYatra, BluSmart, and Subway, contributing to RepIndia’s international expansion.

Joining Tiwari, Sitlani also takes on the role of associate vice president for planning and growth, where she will drive strategic initiatives and uncover new opportunities to advance the agency and its clients.

Previously an account director for account planning and growth, Sitlani played a key role in acquiring clients such as JBL, Pearl Academy, Kajaria, Colorbar, CARE Hospitals, and others, further expanding RepIndia’s portfolio and market presence.

“We’re heavily involved in a wide range of initiatives—from pitches to strategy for existing clients and reviewing work across accounts,” she shared. 

Mishra also joins the roster of promotions, having been elevated to senior vice president for digital media and buying, underscoring RepIndia’s commitment to expanding its media capabilities.

Before this, he served as vice president for digital media and buying. Under Mishra’s leadership, the digital media team expanded significantly, securing clients like Kajaria, Instax, M3M, Fortis, Haldirams, and others. His extensive experience in digital media strategy is expected to drive RepIndia’s media operations and innovate digital buying practices.

Commenting on his new role, Mishra shared, “When I joined RepIndia, the team was just 2 members. Today, it’s grown to over 18 members. The journey has been rewarding, and I look forward to leading our media operations into the future.”

Finally, Sharma joins the leadership team as associate vice president for search, recognised for his crucial role in enhancing the agency’s search marketing expertise.

Sharma has been instrumental in strengthening RepIndia’s search capabilities, working with prominent brands like Hero MotoCorp (across 8 countries), Merino Laminates, Kajaria Ceramics, Migsun Group, and more. Previously associate director of SEO, he has grown his team to over 20 members, further bolstering RepIndia’s search marketing expertise.

These leadership appointments come as RepIndia positions itself for growth in 2025. With a strengthened team across search, media, creative strategy, planning, and analytics, the agency aims to enhance its offerings and drive digital innovation. The changes reflect RepIndia’s focus on building internal capabilities for the future of digital marketing in India.

Archit Chenoy, CEO of RepIndia, commented, “At RepIndia, our strength lies in our people and their ability to drive meaningful impact for our clients. These promotions are a testament to the incredible talent, dedication, and innovative spirit that define our team. As we look ahead to 2025, this strengthened leadership will play a critical role in shaping the future of digital marketing, delivering cutting-edge solutions, and unlocking new growth opportunities for our clients and our agency alike.” 

Singapore – As 2025 begins, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has announced key leadership changes at Changi Airport Group (CAG), with Lim Ming Yan taking the role of deputy chairman on January 1, 2025. He will succeed Tan Gee Paw as chairman effective April 1, 2025.

Lim currently serves as chairman of the Singapore Business Federation and The Esplanade Co. Limited. He is also a board director at Enterprise Singapore and an independent non-executive director at Sembcorp Industries, DLF Cyber City Developers, and China Vanke. Additionally, he is Singapore’s non-resident high commissioner to Mauritius.

Previously, Lim was chairman of Workforce Singapore and a director of the housing and development board. He also held key leadership roles, serving as president and group CEO of CapitaLand Limited (2013–2018), CEO of The Ascott Limited (2009–2012), and CEO of CapitaLand China (2000–2009).

With his extensive experience in large-scale projects and proven leadership, Lim is well-equipped to guide CAG through Changi Airport’s next growth phase, including the construction of Terminal 5.

Lim will officially succeed current Chairman Tan Gee Paw on April 1. Meanwhile, Tan will remain on the board as a director to provide continuity to CAG during this transition period.

Tan joined the CAG Board in May 2017 and became chairman in October 2020. Under his leadership, CAG navigated the challenges of COVID-19, ensuring Changi Airport remained a global aviation hub by facilitating essential travel and supplies while supporting the safe reopening of borders.

Changi Airport is on track for full recovery by 2025, with passenger traffic recently returning to pre-pandemic levels and connectivity restored to 160 cities via over 100 airlines. Under Tan’s leadership, CAG strengthened innovation and financial resilience, investing in major upgrades like Terminal 2’s rejuvenation, boosting capacity to 90 million passengers annually. Technological advancements, including robotics and automation, enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and manpower optimisation, ensure Changi remains a global leader.