Tag: Appointments

San Jose, California – Adobe has appointed Lara Balazs as chief marketing officer (CMO) and executive vice president of global marketing.

In her new role, Balazs will spearhead the global marketing organisation and its operations for Adobe.com, campaigns, communications, social media, and other events.

Previously, Balazs served as CMO and general manager of strategic partner group at Intuit, a financial software and services company. During her tenure, she contributed to reimagining Intuit’s brand and boosting its brand awareness. She also led the ProTax Group, driving its corporate reputation to its peak in four decades.

Additionally, Balazs has held leadership roles at companies such as Amazon, Visa, and Nike. She helped usher Visa into the world of digital payments, leading the launch of Visa Checkout and Apple Pay.

Shantanu Narayen, chair and chief executive officer at Adobe, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Lara Balazs to lead Adobe’s Global Marketing Organization. As Adobe continues to deliver industry-leading product innovations across content creation and digital marketing, Lara’s unique experience across B2C and B2B industries and deep insights as an Adobe customer will help us engage our growing universe of users more effectively while expanding Adobe’s brand reach and impact.”

India – dentsu India has promoted Imtiyaz Vilatra to the role of chief executive officer of Posterscope India.

In his new role, Vilatra is in charge of enhancing Posterscope’s offerings in both digital and intelligent out-of-home (OOH) campaigns, focusing on providing data-driven outcomes for clients.

Vilatra brings over 25 years of experience to the company, particularly in driving innovative OOH campaigns. At Posterscope, he aims to integrate augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and 4D experiences into campaigns to meet client needs.

Additionally, Vilatra aims to expand Posterscope’s reach, making an effort to establish its position as a leader in traditional and digital OOH.

Harsha Razdan, chief executive officer of South Asia at dentsu said, “Imtiyaz’s elevation is a timely and strategic move, enabling him to drive Posterscope’s expansion in experiential and Below-The-Line (BTL) divisions, strengthening our urban and rural reach. His leadership remains a vital link between strategy and execution, translating our goals into meaningful partnerships for our clients and communities.”

“I am confident that under Imtiyaz’s continued guidance, we will not only meet but exceed the evolving needs of our clients, setting new benchmarks for excellence. His exceptional passion and deep industry insights will be pivotal as we navigate a path where innovation meets purpose, driving change that resonates far beyond the immediate,” Razdan added.

Anita Kotwani, chief executive officer of media in South Asia at dentsu, added, “Imtiyaz’s elevation is a testament to his visionary leadership and commitment to redefining the OOH landscape. Under his leadership, Posterscope will strengthen its position within the dentsu ecosystem, embodying our ‘OneDentsu’ vision of unified, cross-channel marketing solutions. By seamlessly integrating OOH with digital, media, and experiential campaigns, Posterscope is set to deliver transformative, multi-channel experiences powered by dentsu’s advanced audience insights, driving precision and impact that elevate client outcomes.”

“The OOH industry stands at a transformative juncture, with technology and data insights reshaping how we connect with audiences. Posterscope’s future lies in harnessing AI, programmatic DOOH, and real-time analytics to deliver dynamic, measurable campaigns. Integrating dentsu’s digital intelligence into our OOH offerings enhances our capabilities and raises the value we deliver through deeper engagement, personalization, and an integrated, ROI-focused approach,” Vilatra commented.

Singapore – impact.com, a partnership management platform, has appointed Emma-Jayne Owens as senior director of community and enablement for the Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) region. 

Owens’ appointment at impact.com entails a focus on stakeholder training, advocacy, and community enablement activities in APJ, particularly in Southeast Asia (SEA).

Through the newly created position, Owens is tasked to deliver initiatives that will inspire the marketing industry including roundtables, networking events, sales coaching, and others.

In SEA, Owens will support the company’s expansion and market education, identifying Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia as key markets.

Owens has held senior leadership roles at companies such as Blis, Australian Radio Network, Big Mobile and ninemsn (MI9). She brings a comprehensive background in strategic planning, operational leadership, and revenue generation in the digital and media technology industry.

“We’re bringing in a leader of EJ’s pedigree because we‘re committed to driving the advancement of the partnership economy across APJ. Her expertise in building high-impact industry relationships and education programs will be instrumental as we continue to empower our community of brands, agencies and publishers in the region, especially in SEA to unlock growth through affiliate, influencer and customer referral marketing — especially critical as the industry navigates rising customer acquisition costs and tighter marketing budgets,” Adam Furness, APAC Managing Director at impact.com, said.

Owens commented, “What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to combine my leadership and coaching experience with my passion for people and connections – which is what the Partnership Economy is all about. I look forward to building programs that deepen industry knowledge in a diverse market like Southeast Asia, creating both on and offline events and initiatives to help upskill and inspire the next generation of partnership marketing leaders.” 

Sydney, Australia – Marketing agency Jaywing has announced two key hires to enhance its digital public relations offering amidst growing client demand.

Jaywing has appointed Rob Hilborn as senior SEO director and Harriet Dawson as digital PR specialist, both with experience in the digital PR practice.

Hilborn joins the company from Submerge, a creative marketing specialist in the UK, where he was head of SEO. With over 10 years of experience in digital marketing, PR, and project management, he has worked with brands such as Laithwaites, Legal & General, and Red Head Wine.

Meanwhile, Dawson worked with iProspect, building its digital PR product offering and executing campaigns for La Roche Posay, Garnier, and Lancôme.

Tom Geekie, chief executive officer at Jaywing, commented, “With search engine optimisation becoming more competitive as tools and platforms do more of the heavy lifting, securing high quality backlinks and media coverage is becoming a crucial differentiator. Digital PR is one of the most effective ways to drive these links from sites with high domain authorities, such as news sites, making it a must have for any sites wanting to compete against major brands.

“The expansion of our Digital PR capabilities gives our clients the edge needed to stand out against competitors. This service is already delivering impressive results, and with Harriet and Rob onboard, working together with Katie, we’re excited to build on this momentum and continue driving business growth for our partners,” Geekie added.

Hilborn commented, “Having seen the effectiveness of Digital PR, it’s great to be joining an innovative and forward-thinking agency like Jaywing which recognises the value it delivers in driving better SEO outcomes. I’m delighted to be joining the team.”

“I’m excited to join Jaywing’s growing Digital PR team and bring my expertise in creating impactful campaigns for our clients. Digital PR is already thriving in the UK and other parts of the world, and it’s exciting to be part of the industry as it takes off in Australia as well,” Dawson said.

Singapore – Brand and design consultancy Elmwood has appointed Claudia Li and Jean Chen as group account directors to strengthen its leadership team in Singapore.

In their new roles, Li and Chen will focus on serving Elmwood’s clients and expanding its brand consulting practice and offerings.

Li brings over 20 years of experience in brand consulting, having worked with clients such as Celcom Digi, Vodafone, HSBC, Bank of America, Swire Properties, and Shang-ri La Group among others. She joins the company from Design Bridge and Partners in Hong Kong. 

Meanwhile, Chen has nearly 20 years of experience in regional and global markets, having partnered with brands like Haleon, Mars, Unilever, Yili and more.

“One of Elmwood’s strengths is the ability to translate deep-rooted cultural and consumer insights into outstanding brand solutions. With the added power of data and creative technology, we’re poised to shape brands in meaningful ways across the region. I’m excited to join this journey and look forward to partnering with brand owners and marketers to create inspiring, impactful brands,” Li commented.

“I am thrilled to return to Elmwood at such an exciting time in the agency’s evolution. With a rich history of driving successful consumer brand initiatives, I look forward to leveraging my experience to enhance our offerings and deliver impactful solutions for our clients. Together with Claudia and the talented client servicing team, I am eager to explore innovative strategies that will elevate our clients’ brands and resonate deeply with consumers across the region,” Chen said.

Celeste Cheong, managing director of Elmwood Singapore, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Ambrish, Claudia and Jean to round up our leadership team. Their combined experience and unique perspectives will be invaluable as we boldly shape the future. Accelerated growth and innovation for our clients across the APAC region do not happen by accident. It takes intent and, we are here to build brands that are iconically always new.”

Australia – Creative agency Amplify has announced the appointments of Lucinda O’Brien as strategy director and Domenic Scriva as culture executive in an effort to boost its senior talent line-up.

As strategy director O’Brien is set to drive Amplify’s vision across the Asia-Pacific, overseeing its strategic output. She is tasked to connect brands with audiences strategically through culture.

O’Brien returns to Amplify Australia from her previous role as senior brand strategist at Frost*collective. Prior to that, she was the senior creative strategist at Amplify. She also spent over five years at Zehner, now The Stable, as a brand strategist and then as a senior brand strategist.

Meanwhile, Scriva is responsible for conducting in-depth research on trends as a culture executive to support business strategy, creatives, marketing and delivery.

Scriva joins from a creative background as a performer and writer, making him new to the marketing industry.

Dan Minty, global chief strategy officer at Amplify, said, “As our strategic offering in Australia continues to evolve, so does the team that leads it. Lucinda has elevated the overall output of Amplify’s brand work in Australia and strengthened our ability to authentically connect brands in culture. Her promotion to Strategy Director is a reflection of her impact on the business, a strategic rigor that allows us to deliver exciting, resonant work.”

“Additionally, as our strategic offering has diversified and our work in culture continues to deepen, the creation of the Culture Executive role was a natural evolution of the team, for which Domenic was the perfect fit,” Minty added.

O’Brien commented, “It’s an exciting time to be back with Amplify this year, leading the strategic offering here in Sydney. As we expand our reach with more campaigns and brand experiences across APAC, the common thread uniting our work remains clear – reaching audiences through culture and breaking formats whenever possible.”

Australia – Third Avenue Consulting, an independent public relations firm, has appointed Julie Wright as its new managing director and Leigh Fenech as a consultant to further drive the company’s growth.

As the managing director, Wright will collaborate with Rochelle Burbury, principal at Third Avenue Consulting, to lead the firm and meet the needs of its client roster.

Wright has been with the company since 2021, when she joined as a senior consultant. She brings 20 years of experience in PR and communications, having managed campaigns at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network for 10 years. She has also worked with Acess PR and 3 Monkeys.

Meanwhile, Fenech has over 15 years of experience across e-commerce, digital content management, inventory control, and marketing industries. Fenech has also worked with Seafolly, Universal Music Australia, and HOYTS Group.

Both Wright and Fenech’s appointments are effective on Jan. 1, 2025.

“It’s been a big couple of years for Third Avenue, recording double digit revenue growth for three consecutive years; and it’s recognition of the fact that experience, effectiveness and being connected are core to bringing to life successful, specialist public relations programs. We work with a range of clients, from start-ups to large global companies, however the fundamentals remain the same. It’s about really knowing our clients’ business and the landscape in which they operate, and supporting them to build reputations and achieve business objectives,” Burbury said.

“Jules has grown to become my right hand person at Third Avenue. She’s the conch to my chaos, she brings process to my pedantry, and she has been a welcome and valuable addition to our clients. Jules’s appointment to the newly-created role of Managing Director is both a reflection of the growth in our business but also her incredible contribution to our clients, and to me. I could not be more delighted that I’ve finally convinced Jules to take on this new role, boss me around, and take Third Avenue to the next level. About time,” Burbury added.

“Leigh recently joined us as a much-needed Account Coordinator and has quickly established herself as invaluable for both our team and our clients. I am incredibly proud to say Third Avenue is 100% female and we are all working mothers – our firm policy is family first – we help and support each other when required, we all work bloody hard, and have a lot of fun along the way, celebrating in the success our clients achieve,” she said.

Wright commented, “I’m really excited to be stepping into the Managing Director role at Third Avenue. Rochelle and I have worked together on and off for more than 15 years now, and remained good friends in between. We bicker like an old married couple, but truly do have a good time working together with our team and our clients. I have always believed you should walk towards the opportunities that excite you and feel good in your gut so I am really looking forward to this next chapter.”

Singapore – Creative agency Iris Singapore has appointed Paolo Agulto as executive creative director (ECD) to boost its creative output for clients.

The appointment is part of the agency’s strategy of gathering the best talents for creative, innovative, and original outputs. In his new role, Agulto will be working with Iris Singapore’s global chief creative officer Menno Kluin and creative chairman Eduardo Maruri, who also recently joined the agency. 

Agulto joins Iris Singapore with over 17 years of experience in the creative industry. He was formerly a creative director at Accenture Song, having held the role for two years. He also held the same position at The Secret Little Agency. Prior to that, he was the creative group head at BLK J Havas and DDB Group Singapore, and he worked with Saatchi & Saatchi as a copywriter.

As the ECD, Agulto will collaborate with Shea Warnes, who was recently appointed as chief strategy officer.

Meanwhile, Iris Singapore has also promoted Yingting Low as head of content to lead media planning, content creation, and dissemination. 

“Paolo is an incredibly sharp, modern creative stepping into this role with hunger and ambition. We needed someone who shared Iris’ ‘participants not passengers’ mentality, not just in the kind of work we create, but also in how we work and the culture we create at Iris,” Rebecca Nadilo, managing director of Iris, said.

“As community and culture become integral to buying decisions, Iris is focused on ideas that earn attention rather than just paying for it. With Paolo, Shea, and Yingting leading the charge, we are ready to deliver work that both excites clients and resonates with audiences,” Nadilo added.

“Participation has always been at the heart of my work. I couldn’t be more excited to join a creative community where participation is not just another buzzword, but the driving force of everything that we do. Now that audiences have a myriad of ways to avoid brands, it’s more important than ever to create work that people actually want in their lives. And I’m confident that the talent around me can do exactly that,” Agulto commented.

“Paolo’s impressive experience means we have a leader calibrated to create value and earn attention. That’s exciting to me, broadening our aperture to more different shaped solutions. That’s the type of work that excites me, but more importantly our clients are asking for,” Warnes said.

Thailand – Omnicom Media Group (OMG) Thailand has announced the promotions of Jinnarat Sampuntharat as chief operating officer, Rerngrith Jindaporn as general manager of OMD Thailand, and Pittayaphan Sriweawnetr as head of insights and marcomms for OMG Thailand to strengthen its leadership team.

In line with this, Rerngrith Jindaporn has been tasked with driving the agency’s growth, operational efficiency, client relationships and new business opportunities as general manager of OMD Thailand. 

Additionally, to scale its insights and marcomms capabilities, Pittayaphan Sriweawnetr has been handed a broader responsibility as Head of Insights and Marcomms for OMG Thailand.

The changes in the leadership team are part of OMG Thailand’s dedication to helping its clients and delivering results for the growth of the company. The whole roster of OMG Thailand’s leadership includes:

  • OMG Thailand CEO Rochelle Chhaya
  • OMG Thailand COO, Jinnarat Sampuntharat
  • OMD Thailand General Manager Rerngrith Jindaporn
  • PHD Thailand Managing Director Nuvee Pongsathidporn, who will continue to oversee the agency alongside General Manager Chaivut Eiamvuthikorn
  • OMG Thailand CFO Noppadol Vetvoranich
  • Head of Trading and Investment Nannapat Chotrattanakarn
  • Head of Insights and Marcom Pittayaphan Sriweawnetr
  • Head of People Waridda Burapathana

“OMG Thailand has witnessed great success over the past few years, with our digital capabilities and client relationships growing from strength to strength. This new leadership bench is highly talented and this structure provides a cornerstone for OMG Thailand to build upon and create future-facing solutions for our clients,” Rochelle Chhaya, chief executive officer of OMG Thailand, said.

Australia – Nunn Media, the Australia-based independent media agency, has strengthened its planning and client service teams with the appointments of Mitch Hunter as new head of strategy and innovation and Melissa Galanos as new senior account manager at its growing Sydney office.

As head of strategy and innovation, Hunter will harness her expertise in creative planning, communications strategy, and customer experience (CX) to seamlessly integrate every touchpoint of the customer journey, driving optimal results for Nunn Media’s clients.

Hunter brings a wealth of experience from a multi-disciplinary background that spans creative, media, and customer experience (CX). Before joining Nunn Media, she held senior roles at agencies such as PHD, Naked, Apparent, Bohemia, Mojo, and The Core Agency. Throughout her career, she has also collaborated with iconic brands like Vodafone, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Tourism Australia, Telstra, and Unilever.

Also joining Nunn Media amidst its recent business growth is Galanos, who steps into the newly created role of senior account manager. With over six years of experience in media, she brings a strong background in planning and buying across both offline and online channels.

Galanos joins Nunn Media after over three years at Slingshot, where she worked with prominent brands such as Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Australian Pork, Daikin, and Inspirations Paint.

Speaking on the new hires, Chris Walton, managing director of Nunn Media Sydney, said, “Mitch has done everything from helping redefine client business models to developing award-winning creative and media campaigns. Her ability to blend creative strategy with a deep understanding of the customer journey makes her the perfect fit for this role. Her passion for tackling challenges head-on and driving demonstrable results will deliver strong outcomes for our clients.”

“Melissa has a proven ability to manage complex campaigns and deliver results for a broad base of clients in what is a rapidly evolving media landscape. We welcome both her and Mitch to the growing Nunn Media business in Sydney,” he added. 

Nunn Media’s diverse client portfolio includes prominent brands such as Spotlight Retail Group, JB HiFi, The Lottery Office, 13CABS, MG Motors, Aussie Broadband, Silversea Cruises, Spin Master, and Bakers Delight.