Tag: General Manager

Singapore – W Communications has announced the appointment of Robin Chang as the general manager of its Asia-Pacific operations. Chang joined W Communications in January and will report to Warren Johnson, founder and CEO of the global agency. 

Chang brings with him 17 years of exceptional experience in public relations and integrated communications, with a proven track record spanning both the consumer & lifestyle and corporate sectors. 

Throughout his career, he has held influential regional leadership roles, based in Singapore, but operating effective campaigns across Asia. His strategic foresight and leadership were pivotal in driving growth at PRecious Communications and Allison Worldwide, solidifying his reputation as a transformative PR force in Asia.

Moreover, he has delivered highly regarded Asia wide consumer integrated, crisis and reputation management programmes via content, earned, paid, social & digital influencer campaigns.

Apart from reporting to Johnson, Chang will collaborate closely with W’s Chairman, Tim Sutton, former head of Weber Shandwick’s Asia-Pac network between 2007 to 2015, as well as W’s leadership teams across W Communications’ global offices in London, New York, the Middle East and the Nordics.

“I am honoured to be joining the W Communications family. I was hugely impressed by W’s ambitions in Asia. Working together, we will strengthen our global reach and foster deeper integration across Asia,” Chang said regarding his appointment.

Meanwhile, Johnson commented, “Robin is an exceptional talent. We are thrilled to have secured his leadership. This marks an exciting new chapter for our business in Asia. Robin brings a unique blend of results-oriented collaboration with unparalleled expertise in the seamless integration of communications services.”

He added, “His experience in driving cross market Asia campaigns will be an invaluable asset in meeting our clients’ growing cross border needs. This is the next stage in our already very impressive Asia success story.”

Thailand – FleishmanHillard has named Atiwat Krisintu as the new general manager of its Bangkok office, taking over from founding general manager Sophis Kasemsahasin, who is retiring after a distinguished career in communications.

In his new role, Krisintu will focus on expanding the agency’s services and enhancing its position in the Thai market, aiming to deliver effective communication strategies and support business outcomes for clients.

Krisintu brings nearly 30 years of experience in corporate strategy and management consulting, including his recent role as director of strategy & business design at Deloitte Consulting. He has also held senior positions at SIAM MAKRO, Central Marketing Group, Coca-Cola, AIM Research, Publicis, and Research International.

Commenting on his new role, Krisintu said, “It is truly tremendous to step into the role of general manager for a team as talented, motivated, and collaborative as the one that Sophis has built. I am excited to work alongside this incredible group and add value for both our clients and teams. By drawing on my experience, I am committed to strengthening our strategic advisory services, expanding our reach through the wider global FleishmanHillard and Omnicom networks, and delivering impactful solutions that meet the evolving needs of the market. Together, we will build on the success of the Bangkok office and take it to even greater heights.” 

As the new GM for Bangkok, Krisintu will report to Joanne Wong, FleishmanHillard’s Asia Pacific president and senior partner. 

Speaking on the appointment, Wong said, “As a seasoned leader with a proven ability to solve complex business challenges and inform high-level strategies for both global and Thai organisations, Atiwat brings invaluable expertise to our team. Building on the solid foundation and stellar reputation that our team in Thailand has established, we are confident that Atiwat will help us further enhance our capabilities, engage deeper with the C-suite, and elevate our position as a business-critical advisor. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team.” 

Wong continued, “In today’s increasingly complex business ecosystem, clients demand communications services that are bespoke, agile, and outcome driven. They expect agency partners to offer not only expertise in crafting strategies aligned with business needs and context but also to execute them with precision and impact. Elevating FleishmanHillard to this unique and competitive position in the APAC region is a top strategic priority for us in 2025, and Atiwat and the Thailand office will play a key role in helping us achieve this vision.” 

Krisintu’s appointment follows the retirement of founding GM Sophis Kasemsahasin, who leaves after more than 25 years in the communications industry, including 11 years at FleishmanHillard. Kasemsahasin established the Bangkok office in 2013 and grew it into one of Thailand’s most reputable agencies.

“We are immensely grateful for Sophis’ significant contributions to our Bangkok operations. Her vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication have left an indelible mark on our people, our clients, and the industry as a whole. Under her management, Thailand has been a key and growing part of our APAC business for over a decade, and we look forward to the next stage of success under Atiwat’s leadership,” Wong commented. 

Singapore – Audi Singapore has announced the appointment of Jamie Lee as its new general manager for marketing, effective immediately. 

With her extensive experience and deep understanding of the local automotive landscape, Lee is set to play a crucial role in driving Audi’s continued growth in Singapore. She will oversee all of Audi’s marketing and communications efforts in the region.

Lee brings over 20 years of experience in the automotive and lifestyle spaces. Her career in the automotive industry has been built over her tenures in key marketing roles with Volkswagen Group and Eurokars Group. 

During her 13 years at Volkswagen, Lee spearheaded a range of branding and communication initiatives across all facets of marketing in both Singapore and Beijing. She also served as general manager of the MG Brand, spearheading the setup and growth of MG’s sales and marketing arm in Singapore. 

Before joining Audi, Lee was the marketing director at UNIQLO, where she played a pivotal role in driving significant growth for the global fashion brand in Singapore. Leading a team of 20 marketers, she orchestrated comprehensive marketing initiatives for UNIQLO’s 30 stores across the country.

Commenting on her appointment, Lee said, “It’s great to be back in the automotive space, and with such a renowned brand that embodies innovation and progress. It feels as if I’m coming home to a familiar environment, and I look forward to working with a team that shares my passion for this dynamic industry.” 

In an official press release, Audi Singapore reaffirmed its commitment to setting new standards in automotive retail and customer experiences. The company highlighted that Jamie Lee’s industry expertise will be instrumental in advancing the brand’s goals and evolution in Singapore.

Australia – To bolster its direct-to-consumer strategy, Levi Strauss & Co. has appointed commercial leader Jude Celedin as the new general manager for the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) market.

In his new role, Celedin will lead the sustainable growth of LS&Co.’s flagship brands, including Levi’s®, in the ANZ region, playing a key role in advancing the company’s direct-to-consumer strategy.

Celedin is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. With a proven track record in leadership, Celedin has successfully driven commercial growth across both national and international markets. Prior to joining LS&Co., he was head of customer experience at Wesfarmers CSBP Fertilisers, where he spearheaded a cultural and performance shift in the sales and customer service functions. 

Celedin also brings with him 24 years of experience from global sportswear giant Nike, where he held several senior leadership roles, including his last position as senior director of the global marketplace for Nike Women and Sportswear. In this capacity, he was instrumental in achieving double-digit growth for the global Nike Women’s business by implementing a multi-channel, cross-functional strategy tailored to the evolving needs of trend-driven female consumers. 

Speaking on his appointment, Celedin said, “I am honoured to be joining LS&Co., as the company doubles down on its DTC-first strategy globally. I’m excited to work together with my talented colleagues in Australia and New Zealand to further establish Levi’s® as a leading denim lifestyle brand. Together, we will focus on bringing the best of our brand to our consumers here in ANZ.”

Meanwhile, Nuholt Huisamen, senior vice president and managing director for East Asia Pacific at LS&Co., commented, “I am delighted to welcome Jude to the team. His solid track record in the marketplace, category, and channel, coupled with his extensive knowledge of the ANZ market, make him the ideal candidate to drive our DTC-first strategy in this key growth region.” 

“We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to strengthen our market position in Australia and New Zealand as a global denim lifestyle leader, while ultimately building deeper connections with local Levi’s® fans,” Huisamen added. 

Singapore – The Dubs Agency, a premier digital marketing and media agency specialising in the financial sector, today announced the appointment of Jackie They as the general manager of its new Singapore office. This strategic appointment marks the expansion of The Dubs in the Asian market.

She brings a wealth of experience to The Dubs, having previously served as the senior vice president of digital marketing at Citi, content solutions consultant at LinkedIn and head of content at advertising agency BBDO.

Under her leadership, The Dubs Singapore will focus on harnessing deep financial expertise, insights, and cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of the finance industry. This expansion is aligned with The Dubs’ global strategy to integrate more closely with financial markets across Asia.

Speaking on her new role, Jackie said, “The Dubs’ commitment to a data-first approach, blending content, targeted media, and performance marketing, offers a unique value proposition to the financial sector. I am excited to leverage my background and passion for digital marketing and recent advances in AI, to drive growth and deliver exceptional results for our clients.” 

Jackie reports directly to Josh Frith, global managing director of The Dubs, who commented, “Jackie’s extensive experience and proven leadership in digital marketing for the financial sector make her the ideal choice to lead our Singapore office. We are confident that her innovative approach and strategic vision will greatly enhance our offerings and strengthen our presence in Asia.”

Singapore – Converge ICT Singapore, the international unit of Philippine fiber broadband and technology solutions provider Converge ICT Solutions is now fully geared up to provide service to enterprise customers outside the Philippines.

And with this continuous growth and expansion, Converge appoints technology sales strategist Victor Koh to lead Converse SG as its general manager and head of international and wholesale sales. 

In his new role, Koh will be responsible for managing the company’s operations while driving revenue growth by extending connectivity services and fiber optic capacity to international markets.

Koh carries with him over 30 years of expertise in the information technology and telecommunications industries. He has a proven track record of developing strategies for penetrating new markets.

“Converge has a good opportunity to develop a strong presence in the international carrier space. I’m excited to fulfill my role and support Converge to become the partner of choice for regional international carriers especially as the market becomes more competitive in broadband services,” Koh said.

Converge attained a Facilities-Based Operations (FBO) Licence in Singapore this year. The license allows the company to deploy telecommunications infrastructure and provide connectivity services to wholesale and enterprise customers in the region.

“We realize the opportunities presented by wholesale as a driver for our enterprise business, and Converge will continue to capitalize on that,” said Dennis Anthony Uy, CEO and co-founder of Converge. 

“Converge SG stands ready to enable telecommunication firms, carriers, cable companies, and other businesses in delivering intra-Asia and Trans-Pacific connectivity capabilities for their operations,” he added. 

Through its global subsidiary, Converge offers a variety of international connectivity services, such as Ethernet-International Private Line (E-IPL) service, Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) service, and submarine cable capacities, among others.

Grace Uy, president and co-founder of Converge, said, “Converge SG was built on the premise of serving the wholesale needs of international carriers, ISPs and telecommunication firms. We hope to finally capture various growth opportunities for the Wholesale business.”

The fiber broadband provider also continues to expand its networks as it participates in the Bifrost Cable System and the South-East Asia Hainan-Hong Kong Express Cable System (SEA-H2X), which are both set to be operational by next year. 

“With our investments in our international broadband network, we are ready to service and enable the growth of business clients in the region,” Converge SEVP and COO Jesus Romero shared. 

Converge now operates one of the largest international networks in the country with points of presence in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States.

Singapore – Universal Music Singapore, a record label under the Universal Music Group (UMG), appoints music industry veteran Alice Kent as the new general manager to bolster the company’s presence in Singapore and across the region. 

In her newly appointed role, Kent will supervise all aspects of the company’s operations, including the company’s artist and repertoire (A&R) projects, marketing strategies, partnership ventures, and business expansion efforts. 

Alice Kent previously served as the marketing, partnerships, and business development director for Live Nation Entertainment Singapore. She also worked for Warner Music Group Singapore as their business development, sync, and partnerships director and for Sony Music Entertainment Asia as the regional marketing director. 

Calvin Wong, CEO of Southeast Asia and SVP Asia for Universal Music Group, commented on the appointment, saying,”We welcome Alice’s enthusiasm and industry savvy to Universal Music Singapore as General Manager.” 

“She brings with her a pioneering spirit and a wealth of experience from her decades of working in the music and entertainment industry, covering many aspects of the business from brand partnerships, label marketing, and artist management to sync deals, non-traditional sales, live shows, and concerts. All of which, combined with her passion for music, will help Universal Music Singapore drive continued growth,” he continued. 

Kent carries with her an expanded portfolio, which includes collaborations with Billie Eilish and the Singapore Tourism Board, partnerships with Singtel and PayPal, and even securing sponsorship agreements for K-Pop group BlackPink. 

“I am honoured and excited to be part of the dynamic and multi-faceted Universal Music team. I look forward to making a positive impact and bringing my industry expertise and creativity to the strong body of work and artist roster that Universal Music has,” Kent said. 

She further added, “Singapore is such a diverse and dynamic market, and this is where I will be focusing on the growth potential for all creative partnerships and brand deals. In addition, I intend to take a keen eye on domestic and regional artists’ prospects while strengthening our repertoire and artist development efforts, building upon Universal Music’s leading position.”

Jakarta, Indonesia – Vivek Satpathy, most recently the business director for Indonesia at Omnicom Media Group, has been named the new general manager for BBDO Indonesia. His appointment aligns with BBDO‘s aggressive expansion plans in brand management, advertising, and social & digital content.

In this new role, Satpathy will spearhead the expansion of client services and business development within the agency.

During his previous role at Omnicom Media Group, he managed key client accounts and fostered strong account partnerships across various creative and media functions.

Reflecting on his new role, Satpathy expressed his enthusiasm for BBDO’s growth potential under the leadership of Omnicom Media Group, 

“I am inspired by the tremendous growth opportunities and creative potential that BBDO holds. With the power of our network, we find ourselves at the intersection of data, insights, technology, and creativity. This unique positioning allows us to provide holistic creative solutions across complex consumer touchpoints. We are confident in our ability to shepherd this renowned brand into a prosperous future in Indonesia,” he said.

With the promotion of Satpathy, Aviani Primasari will be stepping up to assume the role of managing partner at BBDO Indonesia. With her extensive experience, strong leadership abilities, and unwavering dedication to excellence, Aviani will continue to drive BBDO Indonesia’s growth and success.

“With a renewed sense of creative vigour and a string of impressive new business wins, we are thrilled to announce Vivek’s promotion. His exceptional understanding of brands and unwavering entrepreneurial drive will be instrumental in propelling our future growth. With Vivek at the helm, we are confident that our agency’s offerings will expand, enabling us to deliver top-notch creative marketing solutions to our valued partners and clients. We are excited to maintain this exhilarating momentum throughout the entirety of 2023 and beyond,” Primasari said. 

Brisbane, Australia – Media agency UM Australia has announced the appointment of Andrew Copeland as its general manager for Brisbane to help in sustaining the long-term growth plans in Queensland’s expanding market. He will report directly to Anathea Ruys, chief executive officer at UM Australia.

Copeland brings with him extensive experience in creating business strategies and growing revenues whilst discovering how clients can benefit from the media’s ability to connect consumers with brands. In his last stint, he was with Cummins&Partners as chief customer officer where he worked on media strategy and marketing science.

CEO Ruys said that appointing a digital native like Copeland will make UM “something different” in the Brisbane market whilst supporting its fully-integrated model and futureproof strategy.

“UM has fully integrated media across traditional and all forms of digital, technology and data. As we strengthen our national Futureproof planning approach to media, we want to ensure Brisbane is a shining example of delivering strategic dividends for our clients, our staff and our partners. Having a strong leadership team is key to making this happen,” she added.

Meanwhile, Copeland describes UM as an agency that has a wide range of capabilities in addressing and delivering better solutions for the business challenges of clients.

“Queensland marketers are some of the most commercially and technically savvy in the country and deserve an agency that can identify and deliver real solutions to real problems. That’s what we’ve built at UM and I’m excited about the work we’ll do this year,” said Copeland.

In January, UM Australia was appointed as the media agency of record of the Government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT Government).

Singapore – Global creator company Jellysmack has announced that current ANZ and SEA country manager Ezechiel Ritchie, has taken on an expanded regional role as general manager for APAC. In his expanded role, he brings rich experience in brand partnerships, advertising, and digital content and leverages his deep expertise with content and creators to establish meaningful partnerships.

Ritchie, who joined Jellysmack last year as ANZ and SEA country manager, previously held executive roles at Google and Taboola, and was at the helm when Jellysmack launched its Creator Program in Australia last October.

Commenting on his new role, Ritchie said: “Creators across Australia, New Zealand and Asia are having incredible success, not just on a local level but with fans and subscribers across the globe. In Australia alone there are 6 million content creators, which has grown by 48% since 2020. There are 18.5 million content creators in Japan and 17.5 million in South Korea.”

He added, “However, there is a big difference between a content creator and a successful content creator who can make a living from doing what they love. This is where Jellysmack can help by growing new audiences and revenue streams for local creators and I’m looking forward to growing our presence in the Asia Pacific region even further.” 

Meanwhile, Youri Hazanov, chief international officer at Jellysmack, commented, “Growing the creator economy across Asia Pacific is a top priority for Jellysmack, and following the success Ritchie has driven across ANZ and Southeast Asia, we are delighted to have him take the reins of the region.”

Jellysmack has partnered with over Australian and New Zealand content creators since the company launched here last October, including some of the biggest YouTubers such as How Ridiculous, JoshDub, Whippy, Vincenzo’s Plate, Indigo Traveller, Living Big in a Tiny House and How to Cook That. 

The company has also expanded its Asia Pacific presence, signing popular creators such as Junya who is Japan’s biggest YouTuber, TikToker, JianHao Tan from Singapore and Food Kingdom in Korea.