Tag: Appointments

Australia – Droga5 ANZ, part of Accenture Song, continues to build on its regional creative leadership, today announcing the elevation of creative directors Christie Cooper and James Conner to executive creative directors, effective immediately. Under the direction of co-chief creative officers Barbara Humphries and Damon Stapleton, the agency is also promoting four additional creative leaders to strengthen its ANZ creative department. 

Cooper and Conner were part of the team behind the recent Benee Bagels campaign for ASB, with their work influencing legislation, been cited in academic research, and made a lasting mark on culture.

Over nearly 20 years working together – across DDB, Colenso, The Monkeys, and now Droga5 ANZ – Cooper and Conner have helped shape campaigns for some of New Zealand’s biggest brands, including ASB, Meridian, Asahi, Lion, SKY TV, Westpac, Volkswagen, McDonald’s, Pink Batts, BNZ, Burger King, and Cadbury. They’ve also worked on campaigns like Steinlager’s Deep Dive, BMW’s Reverse April Fools, Paw Justice: Animal Strike, and Don’t Trademe.

In further appointments, associate creative directors Lennie Galloway, Thomas Gledhill, Max Rapley and Danny Pattison, have been promoted to creative directors – reinforcing Droga5’s commitment to nurturing talent and delivering world-class creativity across the region.

Creative duo Galloway and Gledhill were instrumental in delivering ‘We Go There’, the provocative brand relaunch for SBS, and since joining Droga5 in 2024, the pair have delivered standout campaigns for high profile clients including Meat & Livestock Australia. Before Droga5, they spent four years at Goodby Silverstein & Partners in the U.S., working on Cheetos, Lay’s, and Autodesk, and were named Rising Stars of Madison Avenue.

Pattison and Rapley each bring over a decade of experience working with leading brands. Both have led purpose-driven campaigns for NRMA Insurance, Telstra, MLA, Crown Resorts, UNICEF, and Uluru Dialogue – and played key roles in Droga5’s recent pitch wins; Tourism Australia and Optus.

The newly appointed executive creative directors and creative directors will work alongside Hugh Gurney and Joe Sibley–both promoted to ECDs in December 2024–to continue pushing creative boundaries and delivering bold, innovative work for clients across the ANZ region.

James Conner, Executive Creative Director, Droga5, ANZ said, “We’re honoured to be stepping up as Executive Creative Directors, and excited to support Damon, Barb and CEO Matt Michael in building Droga5’s trans-Tasman creative department, helping shape bold, impactful work across both New Zealand and Australia.”

Meanwhile, Christie Cooper, Executive Creative Director, Droga5, ANZ, commented, “We’re excited about the opportunity to work as the creative leads on an impressive portfolio of clients across the ANZ region and we feel really lucky to be a part of such a strong creative team.”  

Barbara Humphries, Co-Chief Creative Officer, Droga5 ANZ, stated, “These promotions recognise the incredible talent we have in the business and the lasting impact each of them has made. Having worked closely with them, I know they’ll bring even more creative firepower to our clients across Australia and New Zealand.”

Lastly, Damon Stapleton, Co-Chief Creative Officer, Droga5 ANZ, said, “Reshaping the senior creative team puts our borderless creative model into action. With this team in place, we’re set to deliver outsized ideas for ambitious brands across the Tasman.”

South Korea—TBWA Media Arts Lab (MAL), Apple’s dedicated global creative agency, has announced key leadership changes in its Seoul office, with the appointment of Minah Lee as managing director and the promotion of Youji Noh to executive creative director.

As the new MD of MAL Seoul, Lee will report to global CEO Katrien De Bauw and work alongside Noh to oversee the agency’s leadership and client relationships.

“Minah brings a wealth of experience in the tech world, having worked both agency- and client-side for Korean and American global brands. She brings an entrepreneurial, start-up spirit that we believe will drive MAL Seoul into its next chapter,” said De Bauw.

Lee joins MAL from her role as head of account management at Amazon Korea, with prior experience in marketing strategy and management at companies including Cheil Worldwide, Samsung Mobile, Coupang, and Vestiaire Collective.

Speaking about her new role, Lee shared, “It’s every marketer’s dream to work for an iconic brand like Apple. I’m excited to lead the team in Korea to drive strategic initiatives that strengthen the brand while leveraging the momentum of global K-culture trends. I look forward to working with Katrien and Youji to elevate the Korea team and maximise our potential.”

Meanwhile, Noh’s promotion to ECD reflects her growing leadership role at MAL Seoul, where she has contributed to the office’s creative development through projects such as AirPods Cases, Behind the Mac, the Shot on iPhone film by Park Chan-wook, and the Made on iPad music video for Jay Park, illustrated by webtoon artist Namon. She will continue to report to global chief creative officer Brent Anderson and will lead the creative and production teams.

“Youji is a tastemaker, pure and simple. She has repeatedly helmed work that resonates deeply with Korea and that organically creates impact, all while maintaining Apple’s distinctive voice and hallmark simplicity. Youji’s understanding of the intersection of media, art and audience makes her the ideal creative lead for this important market,” said Anderson.

Noh also shared, “I’m thrilled to be working with Minah to lead and grow MAL Seoul,” said Youji. “Korea is having a moment in culture across various disciplines, especially with youth at the core. To continue creating iconic, culture-shaping work for Apple is a dream job for me and the team.”

India – Edelman has announced a series of leadership elevations across its India team, aligning with the firm’s strategic vision for the next phase of growth and continued commitment to integrated client solutions.

Among the key changes, Ashutosh Munshi, previously lead advisor for brand marketing and communications, will take on the expanded role of lead advisor for integrated communications.

In this position, Munshi will oversee the integration of practices, sectors, and capabilities to support the delivery of comprehensive marketing solutions. Over his 22-year tenure at Edelman, he has played a key role in building the brand marketing practice and establishing the firm’s strategic planning and creative functions in India.

Karishma Gupte has been promoted to India brand lead, moving up from her current role as brand lead for Delhi and food and beverage sector lead. She will also take on additional responsibilities as head of the Delhi office. Over the past seven years, Gupte has led award-winning campaigns and contributed to the growth of the firm’s food and beverage portfolio.

Meanwhile, Vasudevan Rangarajan, formerly SVP for public and government affairs, has been named managing director of the practice. Rangarajan has spent over 13 years with the firm and, in recent years, has focused on strengthening Edelman’s policy advisory and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Also part of the leadership changes is Pankaj Suri, who will relocate to Dubai to serve as EVP, people partner for the Middle East.

Suri, who has led the people function for Edelman India for more than 13 years while supporting APAC operations, will transition his India responsibilities to Ashutosh Thatte. Thatte will be elevated to vice president, people partner, effective June 1, 2025. Over his nine years at the firm, he has contributed to business alignment and culture-building efforts across the India team.

Speaking on the appointments, Bhavna Jagtiani, CEO of Edelman India, says, “Our clients and teams have placed deep trust in these leaders over the last decade. Together, we have built a culture of collaboration, quality and innovation that has been at the core of our client and people relationships. I am confident that together, we will unlock new dimensions of value for our clients and teams as we chart our next phase of growth in India.”

Singapore – Havas Media Network Singapore has appointed Kenny Yap as chief executive officer (CEO) of Havas Play as part of its series of leadership changes to advance growth. The appointments are part of the agency’s efforts to innovate and strengthen its offerings.

Louise Koh has also been appointed as managing director of Havas Media Singapore, while Deanson Lee has been promoted to managing director, digital.

In his new role, Yap will lead Havas Play’s growth in Singapore, expanding its presence across Southeast Asia (SEA). Meanwhile, both Koh and Lee are responsible for strengthening Havas Media’s client relationships for business growth.

 Yap, Koh, and Lee will report to Pankaj Nayak, who was appointed as the CEO of Havas Media Network Singapore and president of Havas Media SEA in January.

“These promotions reflect our commitment to nurturing talent and building a strong leadership team for the future. Kenny, Deanson, and Louise have been instrumental in our success, demonstrating expertise, vision, and an unwavering drive to push boundaries. I have no doubt that under their leadership, our agencies will continue to thrive and set new benchmarks in the industry,” Nayak said.

He added, “I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Russell for his contributions to the agency. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental to our progress, and we wish him the very best for his future endeavours.”

Singapore – Ant International, a digital payment and financial technology solutions provider, has named Jiang-Ming Yang as its chief innovation officer (CIO), effective immediately. Yang is set to focus on transforming the company’s digitalisation strategy.

As the new CIO, Yang will lead a team that drives Ant International’s innovation and product strategy, ensuring their alignment with trends and customer needs.

Yang brings his expertise in payments and e-commerce, having recently served as Ant International’s chief product officer. During his tenure, he focused on developing fintech solutions. He led the establishment of various AI-powered solutions like Antom’s A+Rewards, Copilot, and EasySafePay.

Recently, Ant International’s CEO, Peng Yang, announced upgrades to its payment solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises. The move is directed towards inclusive growth for the sector.

“Ant International will continue to invest at the frontier of innovation to help businesses, especially SMEs, to achieve sustainable growth in an increasingly complex global environment. Top on our list of priorities will be to push the cost and efficiency boundary for cross-border payment and settlement; to democratise cutting-edge technology solutions for SMEs on payment, trade and financial services; and to revolutionise user experience with new intelligent technology for cross-border travel,” Jiang-Ming commented.

Thailand – Communications agency Havas Thailand has announced key appointments in an effort to strengthen its leadership team. Carlo Herold has been appointed as the agency’s managing director while Siamrit Wongvichitara takes on the role of chief growth and commercial officer.

In his new role, Herold will oversee the media operations while leading strategies to enhance client engagement and boost its presence. Bringing his expertise in performance marketing and digital innovation, Herold is set to contribute to boosting the agency’s offerings.

Meanwhile, Wongvichitara will attend to Havas Thailand’s business development, building client partnerships while leveraging his knowledge of the market.

Rana Barua, group CEO of Havas India, SEA & North Asia, said, “Thailand is a key growth market for Havas, and strengthening our leadership here is a top priority. Carlo and Siamrit bring a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the local market, which will be invaluable in driving our strategic goals. As the Thai market continues to evolve with new opportunities and challenges, Carlo and Siamrit will play a pivotal role along with Aga, in navigating these shifts and accelerating our growth in the region. Their leadership will be instrumental in reinforcing Havas Thailand’s position as a forward-thinking, innovative partner to our clients.”

“These appointments mark a significant step in strengthening our capabilities and aligning with the evolving needs of the Thai market. With Thailand ranking among the top globally for mobile- first behavior and social commerce, it is crucial to strengthen our digital capabilities to stay ahead of evolving consumer trends. By helping our clients navigate this dynamic landscape, we aim to achieve sustainable growth while building meaningful brands that deeply resonate with audiences. Together, we will continue to innovate and deliver impactful solutions that resonate across the market,” Aga Giedroyc, CEO of  Havas Thailand, said.

“We are both excited to take on these roles and work together to lead Havas Thailand through its next phase of growth. We look forward to collaborating with Aga and the entire team to drive impactful strategies that not only elevate our market presence but also create lasting value for our clients. Together, we are committed to strengthening Havas Thailand’s position as a forward-thinking, solutions-driven partner in this dynamic and evolving market,” Herold and Wongvichitara commented.

Singapore – Creative agency GOVT Singapore has announced new key appointments to drive growth to its senior management team.

GOVT Singapore has named Phang Mei Jeng as its managing director, Kevin Poh as executive creative director (ECD) and Khoo Kai Qi as client services director.

Phang joins the agency from Ensemble Worldwide/Mediabrands Content Studio in Malaysia, where she spent 7 years in the company until she rose to the position of managing director. She has also served as BBDO Proximity China’s business director, working with brands such as PETRONAS, Pizza Hut, Visa, OPPO, Ford, Gillette, Braun, and Toyota.

Phang takes over from former managing director Alvina Seah, who remains as GOVT group of companies’ partner.

Meanwhile, Poh was promoted from his previous role as group creative director, having spent 7 years with GOVT. Poh has worked with brands such as Sentosa, Julie’s Biscuits, Puma, and Asahi.

Poh steps into the ECD role following Tim Chan’s appointment as chief operating officer in The Betterment Group, the agency’s parent company.

Khoo, on the other hand, has gained over 13 years of experience in agencies such as Publicis, JWT, Tribal DDB Worldwide, and Moon Rabbit Singapore.

“Change is the only constant in life, and even more so in our industry. Our move to bring in new blood and elevate stalwarts like Kevin to bigger leadership positions is all about keeping the agency’s energy fresh and dynamic. At the same time, it allows the Co-Founders to spend time pursuing new opportunities for the Group and its agencies. And there’ll be more exciting ventures in the pipeline we’ll share in the coming months,” Leon Lai, CEO of The Betterment Group, said.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – The SHOUT Group, an advertising holding company, has appointed three leads for FCB SHOUT, its creative agency.

The new additions to FCB SHOUT’s executive management team include Syahriza Badron as managing director, Wang Ie Tjer as executive creative director, and Jamie Tan as general manager.

As the new managing director, Badron is tasked to drive the agency’s growth, leading the brand management team.

Badron has been with FCB SHOUT for 11 years, formerly serving as its general manager. Over the years, she has championed the agency’s ‘No Plan B’ culture while contributing to marketing publications.

Meanwhile, Tjer has spent six years with the agency. As the previous head of creative, Tjer spearheaded the team to win various awards, embodying Malaysian creativity.

Taking over the general manager role, Tan will oversee the internal operations of the agency. Previously the head of operations at FCB SHOUT, Tan has taken on more responsibilities, spanning financial management and culture-building.

Tan has been leading initiatives for the welfare of the agency’s employees, including the expansion of its medical programme for families of staff and pushing for flexible working arrangements.

Shaun Tay and Ong Shi Ping, co-owners of The SHOUT Group, commented, “When we bought the agency back in 2018, we had already set in motion our vision to create a sustainable, highly regarded creative agency that would serve as the right partner for our ambitious clients, and we knew that could only be realised by having the right leaders on board.”

“We wanted people with a point of view and the gumption to materialise our lofty goals. Syah, Tjer and Jamie represent what we stand for, and to have been fortunate enough to help chart their growth over the years has been a true joy and one that we personally feel is our crowning achievement,” they added. 

Singapore – Multi-channel advertising platform StackAdapt has appointed Alessandra Alessio as director of marketing for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Alessio joins the company as a former marketing executive at Google.

With more than a decade of experience in digital advertising, Alessio is set to drive StackAdapt’s growth across APAC in her new role.

Alessio will spearhead the execution of marketing strategies to boost StackAdapt’s brand presence, demonstrating its capabilities to support brands.

Throughout 16 years working at Google, Alessio has held roles in B2B marketing and sales. She has worked in the APAC region with a focus on adtech, measurement, and data privacy solutions for 12 years, with 8 years being focused on the Australian market.

Alessio’s appointment follows StackAdapt’s recent key appointments in Hong Kong and Japan.

“I was drawn to StackAdapt by its powerful multi-channel media buying platform and its incredible culture, which prioritises delivering exceptional service to agency and brand clients. With significant growth plans for APAC, I’m thrilled to help drive the next phase of expansion and innovation in the region,” Alessio commented.

Liam McCarten, StackAdapt’s Asia-Pacific vice president, said, “I’m delighted that Alessandra chose to join StackAdapt. Her deep understanding of our audiences, our industry and our region will only fuel our ability to grow our brand & our business. We’ve made a lot of progress in growing our visibility across APAC, but no doubt Alessandra will lead strategies and tactics that will elevate our standing and differentiation even further. We really believe we’re building a standout team in the industry. Alessandra fuels that belief.”

Malaysia – IPG Mediabrands, a media holding company under Interpublic Group, has appointed Darren Yuen as chief executive officer (CEO) in Malaysia.

Yuen takes over the role previously held by Bala Pomaleh for eight years. With his new position, Yuen is set to drive IPG Mediabrands growth.

Previously, Yuen held the role of CEO at Initiative Malaysia. He has over 27 years of experience in the industry, spending eight years within the IPG Mediabrands network in Malaysia.

Leigh Terry, CEO of IPG Mediabrands APAC, said, “I could not be more pleased to appoint the Malaysia CEO from within our own network ranks. With his passion, drive, and unsurpassed knowledge of the Malaysian media landscape, Darren embodies our commitment to craft and innovation on this strategic transformation journey.”

“Bala has spent 8.5 years building IPG Mediabrands Malaysia to the much celebrated, industry-leading media network it stands proud as today. He leaves with our thanks and appreciation for his commitment and lasting impact,” Terry added.

“I am honoured to take on the role of CEO IPG Mediabrands Malaysia. This is such an exciting time for our business, and a fantastic opportunity to empower our talented network of people to push the boundaries of how we can deliver exceptional value to our clients,” Yuen commented.