Tag: CEO

India – Cheil South West Asia (SWA) has appointed Jitender Dabas, widely known as Jeetu, as the new CEO of Cheil X. In addition to this leadership role, he will also take on the responsibilities of group chief strategy officer (CSO) for Cheil SWA.

Cheil X functions as an independent, full-service agency within the Cheil India SWA group, handling a diverse portfolio of accounts beyond Samsung. In his new role, Dabas will oversee Cheil X’s operations in Delhi and Mumbai while also managing the broader network of agencies within the Cheil SWA group.

His responsibilities will include driving creative, strategic, and digital marketing initiatives, along with influencer marketing, technology solutions, content production, retail design, and performance-driven strategies. Additionally, he will provide strategic direction across all Cheil SWA agencies.

Carlos Limseob Chung, managing director of Cheil India and president of Cheil SWA, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Jitender Dabas to the Cheil SWA Group and family. His reputation as a professional and leader precedes him, and his appointment marks a significant milestone as Cheil X enters its next phase of growth and transformation.”

“With our scaling up of our capabilities in digital marketing through Experience Commerce, content production through CYLNDR, retail design & branding through newRx, and digital media and influencer marketing, there couldn’t have been anyone better than Jeetu to drive this intersection of creativity, strategy, and technology into a new future-focused agency,” he added.

Dabas joins Cheil X from McCann Worldgroup, where he served as COO, CSO for India, and head of effectiveness for APAC. An IIT Delhi alumnus, he is a renowned strategic leader in global advertising with a career spanning WPP and IPG. A recipient of the WPP Atticus Award, Dabas has earned over 100 advertising awards and served on prestigious juries, including Cannes Lions and Effies.

Speaking about his appointment, Dabas said, “I am really excited about leading Cheil X at this pivotal moment in its journey in India. As an industry, we are all acutely aware of the change that is upon us. The old models are giving way, and newer models haven’t yet crystallised. And the truth is that disruptive creativity and big brand strategy, only when deployed across the persuasion funnel, will lead to truly impactful outcomes.”

“Cheil is a global leader when it comes to solutions at the intersection of creativity and technology, and I am excited about partnering businesses and brands in India with all the new-age capabilities that Cheil is building in India. I’m looking forward to creating something future-facing: an agency that doesn’t just keep up with change but leads it,” he added.

Japan – Hakuhodo Inc., the integrated marketing and innovation company based in Tokyo, has appointed Akihiko Imai as the new president and CEO of Hakuhodo International, effective immediately.

With extensive experience in the marketing and advertising industry, Imai brings a proven track record of leadership and innovation to his new role. Succeeding Shuntaro Ito, his appointment signals Hakuhodo International’s focus on strengthening its global presence and continuing to deliver value to clients worldwide.

Imai began his career at Hakuhodo in 1989 and spent much of his professional journey at TBWA\HAKUHODO. He became a corporate officer of Hakuhodo in 2016 and was promoted to senior corporate officer in 2021. As of April 1, 2025, he will also serve as director and senior corporate officer of Hakuhodo.

Throughout his career, Imai has held key positions, including president & CEO of TBWA\HAKUHODO and director of both TBWA\HAKUHODO China and OMD HAKUHODO.

He has also received numerous accolades, highlighting his significant impact and influence within the industry and underscoring his commitment to excellence and innovation in marketing and advertising.

Commenting on his appointment, Imai said, “I am honoured to take on this role and lead Hakuhodo International into its next chapter. I look forward to working with our talented team to drive growth and innovation and to further strengthen our relationships with clients around the globe as a creative force for meaningful change with sei-katsu-sha*.” 

“Sei-katsu-sha” is a term Hakuhodo uses to describe individuals not just as consumers but as fully realised people with unique lifestyles, aspirations, and dreams.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Omnicom Media Group has appointed Winnie Chen-Head as CEO for Malaysia. In her new role, Chen-Head will lead strategy, operations, and the development and adoption of transformative capabilities that will drive the next chapter of growth for OMG Malaysia. She succeeds Eileen Ooi, who was named CEO of PHD Asia-Pacific last year.

Chen-Head joins OMG from her role as managing director of media at dentsu Malaysia, overseeing its agency brands. Over the course of her more than two decades in marketing, she has held leadership roles across multiple business categories – including e-commerce, aviation, telecommunications, and software – and built a reputation for delivering high impact strategies that drive results for clients and organisational growth.

She takes the helm as OMG is enjoying its most significant year ever. Powered by Omnicom’s industry-leading Omni open operating system that drives business outcomes for brands, OMG Malaysia’s recent wins and retentions include OPPO, Wipro Unza, CelcomDigi, Vinda, and Friesland Campina. 

Reporting directly to Tony Harradine, CEO for APAC at Omnicom Media Group, Chen-Head will join OMG Malaysia officially on 19 March 2025.

Speaking on her appointment, Chen-Head said, “I am honoured to join OMG Malaysia as CEO and capitalise on the strong momentum to drive further success. A key goal of mine is to leverage innovative and strategic thinking to help clients deliver on their business ambitions. This will be achieved with the talented teams at OMG Malaysia, where a culture of open communication and collaboration empowers everyone to contribute their best ideas. The opportunities ahead are immense, and I’m excited to lead the new era of transformation and growth.”

Meanwhile, Harradine commented, “Winnie steps into this role at a pivotal time, building on a strong foundation of success. As one of the most respected, tested, and proven leaders in the market, Winnie has the experience and expertise to take OMG Malaysia into its next phase of growth, leveraging our Agency as a Platform proposition to deliver transformative experiences for our clients, their customers and our people.”

Hong Kong – DFI Retail Group has appointed retail veteran Yoep Man as the new chief executive officer of 7-Eleven for South China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore, effective immediately.

Yoep brings over 20 years of retail leadership in food and FMCG across Asia Pacific. Most recently, as Managing Director of Food in Singapore for DFI Retail Group, he led brands like Giant, Cold Storage, CS Fresh, and Jason’s Deli, driving financial growth, operational efficiencies, and stronger market positioning despite a challenging retail landscape.

Throughout his career, Yoep also played key roles in advancing business growth and operational success, including supporting the growth of Sam’s Club business at Walmart China and the expansion of Dutch-based retailer SPAR into China, Indonesia, Thailand and Mongolia.

In his new role at the Group, Yoep will steer the strategic direction and operations of 7-Eleven across the four key markets, driving innovation and growth to meet changing customer needs.

Additionally, Yoep will also join the Group’s Management Committee, contributing to the organisation’s broader leadership.

Commenting on his appointment, Yoep said, “I am excited to have the privilege to support 7-Eleven’s growth and ambitions in the markets we serve. I look forward to working with our teams and partners to deliver greater convenience, value and innovative experiences for our customers.”

Yoep’s appointment comes as 7-Eleven experiences robust growth, driven by the expanding ready-to-eat market and ongoing digital advancements to enhance customer experiences.

Scott Price, chief executive officer of DFI Retail Group, commented, “We are pleased to appoint Yoep as CEO of 7-Eleven for South China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore. His appointment aligns perfectly with our customer-first approach, given his proven ability to enhance customer experiences and drive innovation.” 

Price continues, “Yoep’s success in leading our food business in Singapore, coupled with his deep understanding of the Asian retail landscape, positions him well to accelerate 7-Eleven’s growth. His expertise in digital transformation and operational excellence will be crucial in evolving our convenience retail offerings to meet and exceed customer expectations across these key markets.”

India – Jobs and talent platform foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), a Quess company, has appointed V Suresh as its new chief executive officer to spearhead growth and innovation across its AI-driven platform.

Suresh brings more than 20 years of experience in the e-recruitment, internet, and digital transformation sectors. He has a track record of driving growth, expanding market presence, and developing digital platforms across various industries.

In his new role, Suresh brings extensive strategic experience and a focus on long-term growth. His strong understanding of customer needs and operational efficiency will guide foundit as it continues to develop its AI-powered platform, aiming to improve job search, hiring precision, and connections between employers and candidates.

Speaking on his appointment, Suresh commented, “I am privileged to lead foundit at this exciting stage in its journey. With a strong legacy and an advanced AI-driven platform, foundit is uniquely positioned to transform how talent and opportunity connect. Throughout my career, I have focused on harnessing technology to create impactful, customer-centric solutions, and I look forward to building on this foundation to drive innovation, growth, and excellence across APAC and the Middle East.”

Previously known as Monster (APAC & ME), the company rebranded to foundit in 2022 to reflect its evolution into a leading jobs and talent platform.

Ajit Isaac, managing director of Quess Corp, also shared, “Suresh’s deep understanding of the digital talent ecosystem and proven ability to scale businesses will help us strengthen our leadership position in the market. Under his stewardship, we aim to further refine our platform, enhance our services, and continue bridging the talent gap across industries and geographies.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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.