Tag: Appointments

Singapore – Reinforcing its commitment to building brands from within culture, VIRTUE has announced the appointments of Clive Sin as senior content creator and Marie Lee as senior strategist.

With extensive background in creative development, content creation, and production, Sin brings a multi-disciplinary approach to his work. His previous roles include positions at RAPP Singapore, Studio 155, Socialyse, and Havas.

In his new appointment, Sin will play a key role in VIRTUE’s content and entertainment studio, which offers end-to-end services including content strategy, creative development, production, and measurement. He will leverage the agency’s entertainment-driven ethos to create high-quality, engaging content for clients and support VIRTUE’s growth and continued success.

Meanwhile, Lee joins VIRTUE from VaynerMedia, where she spent over two years in a senior strategy role. With a robust background in documentary research and prior experience at Culture Group, she has developed strong skills in cultural prediction, strategy, and social insights.

As the new senior strategist, Lee will oversee VIRTUE’s strategy for the global social retainer of prestige beauty brand Clé de Peau Beauté. She will also drive the agency’s cultural foresight and prediction capabilities—a proprietary model designed to help brands assess cultural capital and identify key networks and communities for growth, offering deeper insights into culture and global context.

Both Sin and Lee represent VIRTUE’s commitment to embracing unconventional talent, going against traditional silos to create the agency of tomorrow.

Lesley John, managing director at VIRTUE APAC, said, “We pride ourselves on attracting talent that is fearless in pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, and has the ability to think beyond conventional career paths. Clive and Marie are perfect examples of the new generation of creatives and strategists who are reshaping our industry. Their unique perspectives and fluid approaches to how they work will further elevate our ability to create culturally resonant and impactful work for our brands.”

Commenting on his appointment, Sin said, “VIRTUE has a strong reputation for embracing experimentation and innovation, and I’m excited to bring my experience to the agency. I look forward to collaborating with a team that values diversity of thought and is committed to building brands that resonate with culture.”

Lee added, “VIRTUE’s approach to strategy is refreshingly aligned with my own philosophy of immersing myself in culture to inform and inspire. I’m excited to bring my passion for pop culture and brand building to a place that truly values non-conventional thinking and cross-disciplinary collaboration.”

Malaysia – To advance its vision of delivering comprehensive marketing solutions, Naga DDB Tribal has strengthened its creative leadership team with key appointments: Vix Chandra as executive creative director, Loo Swee Mei as senior creative director, Alicia Hew as creative director, and Ong Poh Jet as associate creative director.

Leading the series of new hires is Chandra, who steps into the role of executive creative director. With 18 years of diverse experience, Chandra brings a unique global perspective on creativity, content marketing, brand strategy, and pop culture.

Chandra has held key roles at Red Bull Media House, Austria’s LOOP, and On in Switzerland, where he excelled in integrated marketing, strategic collaborations, and content generation. Notable achievements include elevating Porsche’s brand persona, launching On’s entry into pop culture, and leading major social media moments for Red Bull. 

His creative leadership and talent for blending entertainment and culture into marketing strategies will be crucial in advancing the agency’s creative offerings and enhancing its digital experience and content studio services. He will drive the agency’s creative direction alongside chief creative officer Alvin Teoh and executive creative director Nik Radzi, further diversifying and strengthening the leadership team.

Following Chandra’s appointment, Loo also joins Naga DDB Tribal as its new senior creative director. With nearly two decades of experience in both agency and client roles, Loo has worked with leading agencies, including FCB Malaysia, Ogilvy, Dentsu, and Spin. Her career also includes leadership roles at Dentsu Shanghai and the Shanghai Disney Resort.

Her personalised approach has driven successful campaigns for brands such as Canon, Toyota, Malaysia International Airports, KFC, Playstation 5, and Nespresso. 

In her new role, Loo’s expertise in creative ideation, art and design, creative tech, and new media will play a pivotal role in strengthening the agency’s creative leadership and driving its mission to deliver world-class creative solutions.

The agency has also brought on board Hew as its new creative director. She will leverage her expertise in strategic communication and creative direction to help the agency create impactful and resonant campaigns.

Recognised as one of Malaysia’s “Most Awarded Creatives in 2021,” Hew brings a robust background from Ogilvy, McCann, BBDO, and Dentsu Creative. She has also led successful initiatives for prominent brands, including Guinness, Maybelline, Nike, Snickers, Wrigley’s, and Mamee Monster.

Rounding out the new creative leadership team, Ong will also join the agency as associate creative director. His talent for leading and inspiring design teams will enhance the agency’s visual and design output, helping to deliver captivating and inspiring experiences for audiences.

Ong brings over a decade of design and art direction experience from renowned agencies including M&C Saatchi, Ogilvy, and Bonsey Jaden. His work has significantly contributed to brands like Pizza Hut, Coca-Cola, Astro, and KFC.

The addition of these creative leaders marks a pivotal moment in the agency’s journey, as their diverse expertise and global perspectives are set to elevate Naga DDB Tribal’s ability to deliver impactful campaigns for its clients.

Speaking on these new appointments, Kristian Lee, group executive director at Naga DDB Tribal, said, “At Naga DDB Tribal, we have strong ambitions for growth and a vision of what we can evolve into in the very near future. As such, we are currently actively on the lookout for talent that can not only contribute towards that vision but also display ownership by stamping their own imprint on our direction as a company.” 

“As an agency that constantly has an eye on the future while striving to improve for the present, we are conscious of the immediate benefits of bringing on board fresh perspectives, capabilities, and leadership to inspire powerful, effective, and strategic creative output. Having said that, it is also essential for our young and emerging talent to have access to a multitude of leaders with diverse skill sets to aid in the growth of their burgeoning careers. Naga DDB Tribal has had a storied and proud tradition of serving as a springboard that grows careers within the Malaysian marketing industry by promoting a culture of learning for our talent, and we have every intention of continuing and promoting this culture from within,” he added. 

Naga DDB Tribal is enhancing its creative leadership team to drive its growth and mission as an agency. The agency is committed to delivering innovative, technology-driven creative experiences, leveraging advancements in AI, VR, and emerging media platforms.

“With our on-going investment in talent, creative stewardship, and inspiration brought about beginning with the additions of Vix, Swee Mei, Alicia, and Poh Jet to the agency, we are confident and excited about the impact they will have in charting the future of our agency as well as in achieving our commitment of delivering even higher standards of excellence across various creative disciplines to the benefit of our current and potential clientele,” Lee concluded. 

Singapore – Public relations consultancy Elliot & Co. has recently secured a slew of new corporate client wins in Singapore, including Colt Technology Services, UOL Group Limited, Employment Hero, and Wee Hur Holdings Ltd. 

Elliot & Co.’s appointment as the PR agency partner for these companies reinforces its commitment to delivering impactful, results-oriented communications solutions while solidifying its reputation as a trusted advisor across various sectors.

These new appointments come on the heels of the agency’s strategic leadership hires earlier this year, marking a pivotal phase in its 8-year journey. This new strategic direction encompasses both large-scale companies and early-to-mid-stage startups seeking unique storytelling opportunities for their businesses in Singapore and the region.

Leading the agency’s pivotal shift is its senior leadership team, headed by managing director Mayda Jutahkiti. With 20 years of PR agency experience, Jutahkiti excels at shaping strategies and ensuring client satisfaction across various industries.

Joining Jutahkiti are account director Jayeeta Mazumder, who brings a 15-year career in journalism and corporate communications to deliver compelling storytelling and media strategies, and partnerships director Vanessa Wan, an integral part of Elliot & Co.’s journey, who brings a wealth of experience in the consumer and lifestyle space with her creative, solution-centric approach to campaigns.

Speaking on the new partnership, Jutahkiti said, “I am heartened that these industry leaders have placed their trust in us to drive their messaging and develop and amplify their stories. We pride ourselves on delivering creative and compelling PR narratives, and this has demonstrably benefited the startup landscape since our inception. It is a natural progression for us to extend our influence into the corporate and strategic communications space that is teeming with yet-to-be-told stories.” 

Meanwhile, Serene Cheng, deputy general manager (group marketing communications) at UOL Group Ltd., said, “Partnering with Elliot & Co. for our campaigns this year marks the beginning of an exciting journey for us at UOL Malls. With their collaborative approach and expertise, we are excited about the potential this partnership holds.”

Shereen G., PR and communications lead for SEA at Employment Hero, also shared, “Elliot’s impressive track record in supporting enterprises in the region aligns perfectly with our goals. Their expertise not only strengthens our PR initiatives but also expands our market presence in Singapore and Malaysia, enhancing our brand visibility.” 

“We believe in growing together and creating a win-win situation with great chemistry for amazing results. Elliot effectively connects us with our target audience and boosts our industry credibility, highlighting the strategic importance of this partnership. Employment Hero’s vision of making employment easier and more valuable for everyone resonates with Elliot’s approach, further emphasising this collaboration’s potential,” she added. 

Sydney, Australia – Houston, a brand strategy and design firm, has bolstered its leadership team with the promotion of Gretel Maltabarow to managing director and Stacey Saunders to general manager, the appointments will take effect immediately. They will be directly reporting directly to Stu O’Brien, CEO & Founder of Houston.

In her new position as managing director, Maltabarow will have the opportunity to further develop Houston’s core competencies and creative and strategic rigour, promote cross-business divisional collaboration, cultivate new business prospects, and maintain her existing clientele. In order to promote the company’s continued success, she will also keep heading Houston’s account service division and collaborating closely with O’Brien and Saunders. Maltabarow, who formerly worked as group account director, has been with Houston for eight years. 

As the new general manager, Saunders’ responsibilities include pipeline delivery and management, improving business performance and agency culture, and driving innovation through system changes and talent development. Saunders, who was previously chief of staff, will celebrate a decade in Houston in 2024, where she has held numerous internal agency operations responsibilities. 

Speaking about the appointments, O’brien said, “But most importantly their respective promotions demonstrate their ongoing commitment to our team and shows future Houston leaders, that we’ll nurture talent and create new opportunities and pathways for our next generation of leaders to grow. I can’t wait to watch Gretel and Stacey use their wealth of knowledge to drive the business forward and create the next era of Houston.” 

Meanwhile, Maltabarow stated, “Having watched the business grow and evolve over the past eight years, I’m excited by this next challenge. I feel further empowered to make a positive impact with our amazing team and clients by elevating the agency’s offering, and bring together the cross-function expertise of our teams to power client growth. I’m grateful for this opportunity, and couldn’t be happier to share the promotional limelight with the very well-earned step up for Stacey Saunders to general manager.” 

Lastly, Saunders said, “Over the past decade at Houston, I have experienced all facets of our business and feel so excited to lead Houston into its next growth phase alongside the powerhouses that are Gretel and Stu. I am also very excited that my new role will allow me to broaden my impact and provide mentorship across the agency focusing on development and growth for the team.”

Singapore – Global marketing and advertising agency dentsu has recently announced the appointments of Sanchit Mendiratta as chief growth officer, SEA and managing director of CXM at dentsu Singapore.

Concurrently, Trishe Goh has been promoted to senior director of Growth, Merkle.

Mendiratta and Goh’s appointments serve to bolster the expansion of its Customer Experience Management (“CXM”) capabilities across Southeast Asia.

Through its data-driven CXM agency, Merkle, dentsu’s Southeast Asia cluster will serve as a centre of excellence for analytics, customer data management, as well as customer experience and commerce for the network’s clients in the region.

Speaking on their appointments, Mendiratta and Goh jointly commented, “Our people-based marketing approach helps brands create a competitive advantage to thrive in the experience economy. We have local teams that keep a close pulse on the ground, and bring a strong understanding of the dynamics of each market in shaping transformative experiences that work for the right audiences.”

“But more importantly, our end-to-end integrated solutions seamlessly marries the best of creative, media, and CX to deliver winning strategies for our clients in an increasingly competitive consumer landscape. We look forward to helping more brands win in the era of Southeast Asia,” they added.

Commenting as well, Sanjay Bhasin, CEO, dentsu, Southeast Asia, said, “With our proven track record in delivering data-driven customer experience transformation and our hyper pulse on consumer behaviours on the ground, we are excited to reimagine the customer experience with brands who are ready for this journey. I am confident that Sanchit and Trishe will propel our growth in this segment across the cluster.”

Meanwhile, Chun Yin Mak, president, CXM, dentsu APAC, mentioned, “As incomes and consumption rise across Southeast Asia, consumer demographics will diversify as the competition for their time and attention intensifies. This is where we can help brands win with agility, technology, data, and experience. We have been at the forefront of driving innovation and transformation in customer experience around the world, and now, Sanchit and Trishe are well-placed to further grow our presence with our clients in Southeast Asia.”

Singapore – Quantcast, a global advertising technology firm, has announced the appointment of three additional sales executives to its teams in Singapore and Australia, highlighting the company’s continued commitment to client and commercial growth in the area. The appointments will take effect immediately. 

Lee Wee Keong and Aisyah Ilihaqq Rejaluddin were appointed as associate sales managers in the Quantcast Singapore office, adding a combined 20 years of expertise to the firm. 

Programmatic solutions specialist Keong has a wealth of experience in the Singaporean sector. After working as a senior sales manager for out-of-home and digital out-of-home solutions at Clear Channel Singapore, he joined Quantcast. Keong worked in sales and media for Asia City Media Group, Group M, and Ink Publishing before this. He has worked with a variety of global businesses over the course of his career, such as Disney, VISA, Mastercard, and BMW. 

Rejaluddin has experience in client relationship development, strategy, and digital marketing in Singapore. She was a business development representative at the travel marketing platform Sojern before joining Quantcast. Additionally, Rejaluddin has worked in sales for Panasonic Singapore, TNT Logistics, and FedEx. 

Meanwhile, Matt Frost has joined Quantcast in Brisbane, Australia, as a sales manager. 

Frost is an experienced and award-winning media sales executive at leading B2B marketing and sales teams and interacting with SMEs and large corporate clients in competitive marketplaces. He has previously held top sales positions at Nine, NOVA Entertainment, GoTransit Media Group, UM Worldwide, and JCDecaux. 

The addition of the additional sales positions to Quantcast’s APAC team comes after Jovi Tupas was appointed as the sales lead in the Philippines and Brittany McBride as the client success manager. 

Quantcast’s APAC team was strengthened earlier this year with the addition of senior sales executives Lavin Vaswani as commercial director, Asia, Jayaram Gopinath Nagaraj as group agency lead, Asia, and Joyce Seah as head of client success, APAC, all of whom are based in Quantcast’s Singapore office. 

Speaking about the appointments, Sonal Patel, Vice President, APAC at Quantcast, said, “Wee Keong and Aisyah are welcome additions to our Singapore team, while Matt brings extensive sales leadership skills to the Australian business as we continue to rapidly expand our client stable and operations across the region. All bring a wealth of knowledge in digital and programmatic sales to the business, along with a proven ability to develop strategic partnerships. Their appointments will help drive growth in the Singapore and Australian markets, while continuing to offer a high level of service and results for our clients.” 

He added, “Wee Keong and Aisyah’s appointments are a direct result of the growth of our APAC footprint in recent months, particularly across Singapore. By continuing to recruit highly experienced professionals to our APAC team, we’re showing our deep commitment to the region, and commitment to strengthen our expertise for clients.”

Meanwhile, Lee expressed, “It’s an exciting time to be joining the Quantcast team, particularly with the sustained growth in its Singapore operations. I’m looking forward to bringing my sales strategy and creative problem-solving skills to the business, to help drive impactful outcomes for Quantcast’s growing Singapore client base.” 

Lastly, Rejaluddin stated, “Quantcast has made an indelible mark on many businesses across Singapore, helping to drive tangible results in the programmatic advertising space. I’m hoping my digital marketing expertise, and ability to develop strategic client partnerships, will continue to deliver for Quantcast’s clients and help boost revenue in the Singapore market.” 

Singapore – DoubleVerify, the software platform for digital media measurement, data, and analytics, has announced a robust lineup of new strategic leadership appointments in the Asia-Pacific region to support its growing market presence and handle its entry into Hong Kong and Thailand. 

Conrad Tallariti, previously regional vice president of sales, will assume the role of managing director for APAC. With nearly two decades of experience in programmatic sales and marketing, he will spearhead operations across the APAC region, driving growth and business momentum. Having held leadership roles in the APAC and EMEA regions, Tallariti has worked with some of the world’s leading businesses.

Meanwhile, with DoubleVerify completing its acquisition of Scibids AI, Rahul Vasudev will take on the role of regional vice president for APAC. Vasudev, who has been instrumental in overseeing commercial efforts for Scibids in APAC, will continue to focus on Scibids go-to-market in his new role. He will leverage his expertise to expand the influence of AI-powered ad technology across the region.

Also part of the new appointments is Marty Buragay, who will join as the new global director of global client and agency partnerships for APAC. Bringing over a decade of specialised experience in solutions strategy and management, Buragay will enhance DV’s work with global brands across the region. He was previously with Uber, Meta, and Diageo before joining DoubleVerify. 

As sales director for Thailand, Jantra Khonrangde (Joy) will accelerate momentum and strengthen DV’s in-market presence. A seasoned digital marketing strategist who contributed to the growth of companies like Innity, Khonrangde will accelerate DV’s expansion in Thailand, leveraging her strong capabilities to develop lasting partnerships. 

Lastly, Junny Yiu, serving as the senior business director for North Asia, will be responsible for expanding and solidifying DV’s business in key North Asia markets. This will include Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.

With a digital advertising career spanning over a decade, Yiu has developed proficiency in a diverse range of digital advertising verticals, from search engine marketing to programmatic advertising. She previously drove SSP adoption at Hivestack and also counts Verizon and Yahoo as earlier associations.

Mark Zagorski, CEO of DoubleVerify, said, “The digital advertising landscape in APAC is dynamic and growing. The unique needs of our customers in the APAC region require a leadership team with significant market insight and expertise. This new team will drive enduring growth in APAC and will help us advance our mission of making the internet stronger, safer, and more secure.”

Australia – Amplify, the creator economy agency, is expanding its Australian staff. They have promoted Sonja Stindl to the new position of general manager and appointed Ben Somers as partnerships director, among other new personnel. 

In order to further the goal within the Australian team, Stindl will work closely with co-founders Alex Reid and Tom Maynard to supervise people, finances, and legal matters.

After holding the role of head of talent, Stindl is now general manager for Australia. She joins Amplify with three years of experience, having held senior talent management positions at MaxConnectors before.

Somers will now oversee the newly formed partnerships division, focusing on generating new business prospects and building strong relationships with clients across many business teams. 

Somers, who was briefly employed at TikTok, has returned to Amplify in the role of partnerships director. He brings with him previous campaign team knowledge from his stint at Amplify. 

To further strengthen the expanding Australian office, Jess Hill, a longtime Universal Music employee who formerly worked across Jean Paul Gaultier and Carolina Herrera at Puig, has joined as senior campaign manager. Ryan Paturzo, a Buzzfeed employee of six years, has been named account director for the production group. The last of the recent hires, Jyothi Krithivasan, assumes the position of coordinator for partnerships and marketing. 

Speaking about her appointment, Stindl expressed, “It’s truly an exciting time to be part of the creator industry, and Amplify is leading the charge with the best content creators and clients in the business as well as our passionate team driving it all behind the scenes. I look forward to working with Alex and Tom to solidify our offering in Australia and prepare for our next growth phase.”

Meanwhile, Somers stated, “Returning to Amplify and leading this new Partnerships division is a really exciting move for me. As a business we’re growing from strength to strength and the aim of this new team is to drive connections – internally and externally – to meet the needs of our clients beyond traditional campaign structures.”

Furthermore, Alex Reid, co-founder of Amplify, said, “It’s taken a while, but we are starting to see mass adoption of creators into existing marketing mixes, using creators’ audiences to connect with relevant brands and their messages. With that comes the need for a bigger team and our approach has always been to hire people smarter than us, which hasn’t been difficult.” 

He added, “Amplify’s growth is also demonstrated with our expanding talent pool. We’ve grown from having eight creators and producing live shows when we started the business in 2015, to having a roster of 50 creators and a team of over 80 across Australia, Southeast Asia and all the way north to Japan and Korea. We’re proud of the business’s growth and our ability to promote internally. Cultivating a thriving culture and fostering growth are important to us as business owners and we strive to ensure that our team feels this positive impact, even if we’ve run out of desks in the office.”

India – 22feet Tribal Worldwide appointed Axon Alex as head of strategy to lead the agency’s strategic planning. In addition, Shikha Davessar has been promoted to EVP and head of client business. Both individuals will report directly to Vanaja Pillai, president of 22feet Tribal Worldwide. 

Alex, a MICA alumnus, began his advertising career with DDB Tribal and has worked there for almost 16 years. Throughout his professional career, he held crucial positions, including as strategy director at BBH India and managing partner at Jack in the Box Worldwide, where he contributed to the agency’s growth. Axon has built a portfolio, working with companies such as McDonald’s, Vi (Vodafone Idea), Mars Petcare, and ITC Hotels. 

Davessar, who has worked with DDB Mudra Group for nearly a decade, provides expertise working with companies like Fortune 500 global brands including Britannia, Battlegrounds Mobile India, Diageo, Flipkart, LG, and Mars Petcare. 

Speaking about the appointments, Vanaja Pillai, president, 22feet Tribal Worldwide, said, “I am delighted with these developments at 22feetTribal Worldwide, building off the success we experienced over the last year. Axon joins us at a perfect time, with an enviable roster of clients and exciting business challenges ahead. He brings a wealth of experience from his 16 years in the industry, including key roles at esteemed agencies and a strong portfolio with marquee brands. His expertise will undoubtedly enrich our strategic capabilities and propel our agency’s further growth.” 

Pillai added, “We’ve made great strides in new business and creative wins, and Shikha’s contributions have been significant in making this happen. Her journey within our agency exemplifies our commitment to nurturing and recognizing internal talent, and her elevation is a well- deserved recognition. We can’t wait for the amazing journey we have ahead at 22feetTribal WW!” 

Meanwhile, Alex commented, “This agency in its previous avatar was where it all started for me, and I made the promise to come back someday. I’ve come back not on the back of the promise I made but the promise 22Feet holds. The teams have built a reputation in being in the consideration set when you think about the top agencies in the country. Strategy is simply the process of charting the way forward and I hope I’ll play a part in our growth story through the work for our clients and the thinking behind it.” 

Singapore – Greenpark, a performance-driven content organisation, has announced important advancements for three women in its strategy, social media, and creative divisions. These advancements demonstrate Greenpark’s dedication to developing a diverse and inclusive leadership team. 

Que Ramli has been named as Greenpark Asia’s head of strategy, APAC, where she will oversee strategic initiatives, promote innovation, and spearhead market expansion. Her emphasis on combining facts and creativity will improve the agency’s offers to clients. 

Formerly the country social lead for the Philippines, Jianne Orcelada assumes the position of deputy head of social, APAC, extending her reach to foster social innovations and champion best practices throughout the region. 

Trina Enriquez has been appointed as associate creative director, APAC, where she will create creative synergy through strategy and campaigns. 

Speaking about the appointments, Fe Husaint, Greenpark Asia’s managing director, said, “’We plant the seeds, nurture them, and watch them flourish,’ she says. This set of women leaders proves excellence has no gender. “Greenpark values diversity – our team members bring expertise from across APAC. We challenge the outdated notions that women cannot be in leadership roles because they’re too sensitive or too emotional. Women make great leaders, exactly because they are empathetic to people’s needs and growth.”