Tag: chief executive officer

London, United Kingdom – M+C Saatchi Group has appointed Karen Boswell as its new global CEO of digital experience, performance & consulting, as the agency continues to sharpen its focus on data, AI, and marketing technology. Boswell will join the company in July 2025, taking charge of its media and consulting operations, as well as its growing Intelligence unit.

In her new role, Boswell will oversee the strategic direction of digital experience, digital media, consulting, data, and technology initiatives. She will also be part of the Group’s executive leadership team, managing profit and loss across media and consulting divisions, and leading efforts to integrate artificial intelligence and marketing technology into client solutions.

Boswell brings a strong background in customer experience and brand transformation. Most recently, she served as global chief experience transformation officer at VML, working with clients including Boots UK & Ireland, Ford EU, and PwC Global. Her previous roles include chief experience officer for EMEA at VML, managing director of The Pharm (WPP’s dedicated agency for Boots), and head of innovation at adam&eveDDB. She has also held senior roles at AKQA and LBi and is a qualified executive coach.

“Karen is a truly client-centric leader, with a deep understanding of how to combine data, creativity, and technology to drive transformative growth,” said Zaid Al-Qassab, CEO of M+C Saatchi Group. “Her appointment is a powerful step forward in realising our ambition to keep our clients at the cutting edge of marketing innovation.”

Commenting on her new role, Boswell said, “Growth today requires more than great marketing – it demands cultural intelligence, sharp technology and brave creativity. That’s what M+C Saatchi is built for. I’m energised to shape the next wave of transformation with our clients and teams.”

In addition to Boswell’s appointment, the agency confirmed that Rhonda Hiatt will step into the role of CEO of M+C Saatchi Consulting on a permanent basis, after serving in the position on an interim basis. Hiatt has played a key role in unifying the firm’s consulting operations and spearheading the launch of new initiatives, including the Cultural Power Index.

Boswell’s appointment follows the recent appointment of Dani Bassil as CEO of M+C Saatchi Group AUNZ, which will take effect in August this year. As part of this move, Justin Graham will step down from his role as CEO of M+C Saatchi Group APAC later this year.

Singapore – Integrated creative agency Tilt, a subsidiary of HM International Holdings Limited, has appointed Subbaraju Alluri as chief executive officer for Southeast Asia, signaling a major step in its regional expansion strategy.

Alluri, who brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in marketing and communications across Asia, will oversee Tilt’s growth strategy in Singapore and key Asian markets. His remit includes strengthening the agency’s integrated services and deepening its regional footprint.

William Chan, Group CEO of HM International Holdings, welcomed the appointment, stating, “His extensive regional experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and strategic leadership make him the ideal choice to lead Tilt’s growth journey across Asia.”

Alluri expressed enthusiasm about the new role, commenting, “The agency’s bold, integrated, and future-forward approach is exactly what brands across Asia need in today’s dynamic market. I look forward to working with the talented team to unlock new opportunities and build strong, enduring client partnerships.”

The move is seen as a significant milestone for Tilt as it scales its operations under HM International’s broader strategic direction, positioning itself for accelerated growth in the region.

Last year, the agency welcomed Karn Singh as the new group creative director of Tilt following partnerships with SHOPOLOGY and CONSENSYS, extending its range of services. Moreover, it has also previously welcomed Madina Kalyayeva as its new managing director and partner. In an exclusive interview with MARKETECH APAC, Madina said that the agency’s establishment of a dedicated social media and content production arm will help provide Tilt’s clients with unparalleled support in navigating the evolving digital marketing landscape.

“Tilt is committed to building long-term relationships with our clients, offering consistent support and deeper partnerships. These new offerings will enable us to produce high-quality content quickly, optimising it for maximum impact,” she stated back then.

Australia – M+C Saatchi Group has announced the appointment of Dani Bassil as CEO of M+C Saatchi Group AUNZ, effective August 2025. This newly created role is responsible for the Australia & New Zealand businesses in advertising, consulting, and Passions & PR entities, including Sport & Entertainment.

Dani brings a wealth of experience across a wide variety of marketing, advertising and digital capabilities.

Most recently she was CEO of Clemenger BBDO Australia. Previous roles include CEO of Digitas UK at Publicis, Managing Partner at JWT UK at WPP, and leadership roles in operations, and account management at Grey, W+K, VCCP and Mother. She started her career at Ogilvy Sydney.

Speaking on her appointment, Dani said, “I’ve admired the M+C Saatchi brand for as long as I can remember. To be able to bring all of my experience in brand, consulting, media and digital together to lead this group of incredible businesses is so exciting for me.”

She added, “How we drive value and growth for clients through strategic thinking and cut through with powerful creative and brand ideas is what I get out of bed for, and there’s no better agency brand than M+C Saatchi to partner with clients to achieve this. I can’t wait to get started.”

Meanwhile, Zaid Al-Qassab, global CEO at M&C Saatchi Group, commented, “I’m excited to welcome Dani to the helm of our Australia and New Zealand businesses. Her broad leadership experience and client centric approach will power the agency forward, and her vast digital expertise is what’s most needed in the next phase of our journey to give brands Cultural Power. I’m excited to see what magic she can make.”

As part of this move, Justin Graham will step down from his role as CEO of M+C Saatchi Group APAC later this year. As part of a broader realignment, the Asia business will transition to being led from the Singapore HQ. Justin will remain in his Sydney-based role until then to help guide the handover and support Bassil as she steps into the CEO AUNZ role.

Joining the agency from Droga5 in 2013, Graham’s 12 years at M+C Saatchi have included 6 years as group CSO Australia, before being promoted to the role of CEO ANZ in 2020. Following an impressive period of growth and creative recognition for the business, Graham was promoted to the global advertising lead role in 2022, before assuming his most recent role as APAC regional CEO.

“It has been a privilege to lead the exceptional M+C Saatchi teams locally and around the network over my time; as a self-professed life learner, it’s been a ride. 

‘I’m grateful to Zaid and all the brilliant people I have been fortunate to partner with over the years; my immediate focus is to set up Australia and the key markets in the region for ongoing success,” Justin said.

Speaking on Justin stepping down from the agency, Zaid Al-Qassab said, “Justin has played a critical role at M+C Saatchi, first as a chief strategist, then successful CEO, and most recently leading our APAC region. When I joined the business in May last year, I spent my very first day in our Sydney office to see first-hand the work of the most awarded region in our network. Justin has been a brilliant partner, and whilst I will miss working with him, I am grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.”

He added, “At M+C Saatchi Group, we are committed to our leaders and long-term succession planning. As such, over the last few months, Justin and I have been working closely to identify the best leadership succession for key markets in the APAC region, and in particular our Australian and New Zealand businesses.”

Graham will continue in his director roles for both the Advertising Council (ACA) and social impact organisation, Unltd.

New Zealand – Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has named PHD New Zealand CEO Nikki Grafton to the newly established role of CEO of OMG New Zealand, marking the first time that OMG’s New Zealand operations will have executive oversight as a stand-alone market, rather than under a combined ANZ leadership team.

As CEO, Grafton will lead the ongoing expansion and evolution of OMG’s future-ready business model, ensuring OMG’s New Zealand agencies OMD, PHD and Hearts & Science have the talent, tools and technology needed to drive brand growth in a robust marketplace, and tap into the dynamic opportunities available in a rapidly evolving landscape. 

In her new role, Nikki will be supported by Nigel Douglas, CEO of OMD New Zealand, and Jane Stanley, CEO of Hearts & Science, ANZ. Nikki will report to OMG APAC CEO Tony Harradine, effective immediately.

During her two decades with PHD New Zealand, Grafton played a key role in establishing PHD’s reputation for building strong client relationships, fueled by innovation and measurable brand growth. 

Meanwhile, PHD New Zealand Managing Director Abby Parkin will be elevated to CEO of PHD New Zealand, effective 1 March, working closely with Grafton to ensure a smooth transition. As MD, Parkin delivered market-leading communications solutions for clients while nurturing PHD’s talent. 

She also worked together with the leadership team to evolve PHD’s products and services to meet the industry’s evolving needs. As CEO, Parkin’s primary goal is to ensure that PHD New Zealand consistently delivers innovative and future-proofed solutions to drive results for clients and the business.

Commenting on her new role, Grafton said, “OMG has a solid bench of innovative thinkers who are passionate about unlocking new possibilities and delivering incredible work for our clients. This is an exciting time for OMG in New Zealand and I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to drive innovation, deepen partnerships and create meaningful impact in the market.

Meanwhile, Harradine commented, “As one of OMG’s epicentres of growth in Asia Pacific, New Zealand represents a crucial market for our continued progress in the region. A tenacious leader, Nikki understands what makes consumers tick and is adept at translating clients’ ambitions into tangible results. The close-knit client relationships she has forged signify brand confidence in OMG’s Agency as a Platform proposition and our talent, making Nikki a key pillar in delivering competitive advantage for our clients and the business in New Zealand.”

Singapore – Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has named Rochelle Chhaya as the CEO of Hearts & Science for APAC. As the network’s first APAC CEO, Chhaya, who has been with OMG for over 14 years and most recently served as CEO of OMG Thailand, will oversee the continued expansion of Hearts & Science in APAC, building on the momentum the brand has established in the region since launching in Australia and New Zealand in 2019. 

As one of her first duties as APAC CEO, Chhaya will oversee the launch of Hearts & Science’s operations in Malaysia and Taiwan, scheduled for Q1 2025. 

Chhaya’s appointment, reporting directly to Harradine, is effective immediately. Meanwhile, she will continue to oversee operations in Thailand, together with OMG Thailand COO Jinnarat Sampuntharat and the executive management team until her successor is named.

As COO of OMD APAC from 2018 to 2020, she scaled a client-centric, digitally-powered and data-led agency model across the region. Joining OMG Thailand in 2014 as a managing partner for its digital practice, Chhaya helped establish OMG’s data and analytics division, Annalect, in the market.

Commenting on her new role, Chhaya said, “Hearts & Science aims to revolutionise connections planning and drive our clients’ business ambitions by combining data-driven insights with the art of creative storytelling. Asia Pacific is brimming with opportunities, and we are committed to harnessing the strong demand for consultative, modular media strategies that align with our clients’ evolving needs.”

She added, “By going beyond traditional media KPIs and fostering strategic partnerships, we’re continuously refining our offerings to create meaningful impact. Together with our clients, we will unlock new possibilities for driving brand growth across the region.”

Meanwhile, Tony Harradine, CEO at OMG APAC, commented, “Expanding the Hearts & Science footprint across a region that is an epicentre for economic expansion, technological innovation, and digital commerce demands a seasoned leader who possess operational experience with a deep understanding of the modern consumer’s priorities and behaviours.”

He added, “Combined with the digital and data expertise needed to help brands effectively engage with their customers across an increasingly complex media ecosystem, we have found that leader in Rochelle, someone who can bring both the ‘heart’ and the ‘science’ to the business.”

Hearts & Science APAC has built a client roster that includes many of the world’s best known global brands including Jaguar Land Rover, Popeye’s, Sanofi, Sony Pictures, Twinnings Teas, and Versuni; as well as regional powerhouse brands such as Bank of New Zealand, the Hoyts cinema chain, DBS Bank, Mamy Poko, Marigold, Rebsico, Hyphens Pharma, and Double Dragon Properties.

Singapore – Himanshu Shekhar, most recently the chief executive officer for Southeast Asia at GroupM, has stepped down from his role this month, the company has confirmed to MARKETECH APAC when reached out to.

“After two and a half decades with GroupM, Himanshu Shekhar has decided to step down from his role managing our business in Southeast Asia this month. Himanshu has been a strong leader for us over the years. We’re grateful for his many contributions to our success in the region and wish him the best for the future,” a GroupM spokesperson told MARKETECH APAC.

Himanshu served as GroupM’s CEO for the region beginning in May 2023. Prior to this, he was the CEO of GroupM Indonesia and then expanded his role to also include the Thailand and Vietnam markets.

He also served as the managing director of Mindshare Indonesia in 2010 before being elevated to the position of CEO in 2012 and subsequently as its CEO for Southeast Asia in 2015.

The recent move also follows a recent shake-up in GroupM’s APAC leadership, which expanded the remits of Mindshare, Wavemaker, and EssenceMediacom’s regional agency leaders to include responsibility for critical GroupM-wide functions and capabilities.

Australia – Amperity has announced the appointment of Tony Alika Owens as its new chief executive officer and member of the board. With over 20 years of experience scaling global sales and enterprise operations, Owens joins Amperity amid strong market momentum, as the company advances its mission to help brands transform complex customer data into business value.

Throughout his career, Owens has navigated the same customer data challenges that Amperity’s clients face today. This firsthand experience gives him a unique understanding of the pain points that Amperity solves – and the value it provides enterprises.

Owens brings over 20 years of experience in executive roles at Salesforce and Oracle, where he scaled enterprise operations and global sales. Prior to Amperity, he was the president of worldwide field operations at LivePerson, overseeing the company’s go-to-market strategy and teams. 

Before LivePerson, he had progressive responsibilities running Salesforce’s field operations in the Americas and was a member of the executive committee. Owens also previously served as group vice president at Oracle. Tony serves on the board of directors for The Mandatum Foundation, SnapLogic, Pathlight, and CIPIO.ai.

Speaking on his new role, Owens said, “Customers are at the heart of Amperity’s success. Amperity has an incredible opportunity to help businesses unlock their customer data’s full potential. By leveraging AI to refine and democratise data, we’re empowering technical teams to shape business strategy and fuel unprecedented growth.”

Meanwhile, Derek Slager, co-founder, CTO and board member at Amperity, commented, “I’m incredibly excited and confident in Tony’s leadership as we enter our next phase of growth. We share an aligned vision for AI and data, focusing on what matters most – executing on valuable use cases and delivering rapid time-to-value for our customers.”

Lastly, Matt McIlwain, managing director at Madrona and Amperity board member, stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Tony as the new CEO of Amperity. His extensive enterprise software experience in customer relationship management and data analytics, along with his leadership at a global scale, will be instrumental as he leads Amperity through continued growth. I am confident that Tony’s obsession with customer value will take the company to new heights in this AI and data-driven era.”

Singapore – Edelman has announced that Rakesh Thukral will succeed Warren Fernandez as CEO for the firm’s operations in Asia-Pacific (APAC). Fernandez will be stepping down from the role to pursue a new opportunity and will remain with the firm until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.  

Thukral has a long-standing career with Edelman. As the current APAC chief operating officer and managing director of India, he has championed growth through a relentless focus on the firm’s clients, people and diversification of specialties and offerings across its portfolio. 

Speaking on his new role, Thukra said.“We have a strong team across the region and great client relationships across sectors and markets. I look forward to working with our teams and clients to continue elevating our work, and ensuring our clients receive solutions that help them evolve and grow their businesses in these complex times.”  

Meanwhile Ed Williams, Edelman’s President for International, spoke on the recent development stating, “I am grateful for everything that Warren has done for the firm, and for his leadership both regionally and globally. He has broadened and sharpened the firm’s capabilities in APAC, and his decades of experience in the news and media sector has been hugely important to many of our clients. We sincerely wish him all the best with his next move. 

“The APAC region continues to present significant opportunity for Edelman and our clients, and therefore remains a key focus for us. Rakesh’s experience of partnering with global companies to enter the Indian market, and for Indian businesses to expand globally, will be invaluable to our clients across the whole region. He has a deep understanding of the business, political, and societal dynamics of the region, and I have confidence that under his leadership, our business will be well positioned”, continues Williams. 

Lastly, Fernandez says, “I am grateful for having been part of the Edelman team and to have worked with some of the industry’s most talented and committed colleagues. A new opportunity has arisen which is hard to say no to; it is a role that plays to my longstanding interests in public policy, and where I will have the opportunity to engage on some of the significant political and geopolitical issues of the day.” 

Thukral will report into Williams in his new role, and the appointment is effective immediately. 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Zurich Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad (ZLIMB) has announced the appointment of Pauline Teoh as its new chief executive officer, effective 1 November 2024. She brings over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, having held multiple senior leadership roles across the APAC region with leading financial institutions.

Pauline is highly regarded in the insurance industry, with a proven record in driving business growth, digital transformation, partnership management, sales and distribution, and financial risk management.

Speaking on her new role, Pauline said, “I am honoured to lead ZLIMB and look forward to contributing to the company’s continued success. Zurich Malaysia’s dedication to innovation and customer-centricity resonates with my own values, and I am excited to work with the team to continue delivering best-in-class solutions that truly care for what matters most to Malaysians, as we create a brighter future together.”

Meanwhile, Junior Cho, country CEO and head at Zurich Malaysia, commented, “We are excited to welcome Pauline as the new CEO of ZLIMB. Her extensive experience, industry knowledge, and strong leadership skills make her the ideal person to drive ZLIMB’s business through growth, diversification, simplification and innovation. Pauline will report to me and be part of our leadership council to align with the OneZurich approach under Zurich Malaysia.”

He added, “Pauline’s dedication to delivering customer-focused solutions aligns perfectly with Zurich Malaysia’s mission to provide innovative insurance products that meet the evolving needs of Malaysians. We are confident that she will play a pivotal role in spearheading initiatives that strengthen ZLIMB’s competitive edge in the insurance sector.”

Singapore – Sundip Chahal, most recently the group chief operating officer at YouGov, has joined Milieu Insight as its new chief executive officer. Drawing on his extensive network and experience, Chahal will continue to strengthen Milieu Insight’s position in SEA while spearheading Milieu Insight’s growth into new global markets, starting with the US and UK.

He joins Milieu Insight following a remarkable 18-year tenure at research company YouGov, where he rose to the position of group chief operating officer and oversaw the company’s growth.

Speaking on his new position, Chahal said, “The opportunity to lead Milieu Insight at this juncture is thrilling and humbling. We’re not just looking to grow; we’re going to change how businesses understand and connect with consumers globally. Southeast Asia has been a key driver of Milieu Insight’s success, and I look forward to furthering that momentum as we push into new markets.”

For his part, Chahal is also eager to build on the solid foundation laid by Ang and the founding team.

“My focus is on enabling the vision already in place,” he explains. “We’re taking what’s been articulated locally and expanding it globally. The potential here is enormous, and I’m excited to help realise it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gerald Ang, the founder of Milieu Insight, sees Chahal’s appointment as a fantastic opportunity to accelerate the company’s global ambitions, freeing him to focus on innovation and business strategy, alongside the new CEO. 

“With Sundip on board, we’re entering a new phase of growth. Southeast Asia is an important and exciting region for us, and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships here with his invaluable experience and network,” Ang stated.

Ang’s vision for the company also remains focused on product development and skill enhancement. 

“We’ve built a great team and a powerful platform,” he says. “Now, with Sundip’s leadership, we can scale up rapidly while maintaining our commitment to innovation.”