Tag: General Manager

Singapore – Crypto.com, a Singapore-headquartered online platform that supports investors to invest in cryptocurrencies, has appointed Chin Tah Ang, former executive director and head at Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), to be its new general manager of Singapore. 

In his new role, Ang will be bringing his strategic business development experience in the technology sector and deep understanding of the Singapore market landscape.

Ang’s most recent role was at DISG, a joint office between the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). DISG’s aim is to build a great technology ecosystem in Singapore by anchoring global technology leaders, building local champions and nurturing future-ready talent in Singapore. Aside from this, Ang has also previously served in a variety of roles with EDB, advancing strategy and policy engagement for the EDB in various international markets.

Commenting on his appointment, Ang said that Singapore is leading the way as a vibrant hub for fintech and Web3 innovation, and he is thrilled to join a company at the forefront of these efforts.

“Crypto.com will continue to collaborate closely with our public and private sector partners to address critical issues, promote responsible digital asset innovation, and ensure the sustainable growth of Web3 in Singapore,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kris Marszalek, co-founder and CEO of Crypto.com, shared that he is pleased to welcome Ang who brings a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of local market conditions, the competitive landscape, as well as regulatory matters and technological trends.

“Chin Tah’s proven leadership and expertise will continue to guide us in a critical market for the future of our business and industry,” said Marszalek. 

In June 2022, Crypto.com received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for its Major Payment Institution License.

Manila, Philippines – Omnicom Media Group (OMG) Philippines has named Meryl Yap as the agency network’s new general manager, which bolsters the network’s leadership bench strength on the back of OMG Philippines Unilab’s win.

She will report to Mary Buenaventura, CEO of Omnicom Media Group Philippines, and will officially assume her new role immediately.

Yap has held client leadership roles throughout her career working in global and local advertising agencies. In her previous client leadership roles at Mindshare, she oversees the planning and strategy portfolio for various Unilever brands across the food, confectionery, oral and skincare categories.

Prior to her leadership in Mindshare, Yap was previously the head of digital sales and sales strategy at media conglomerate ABS-CBN, and was in charge of expanding and developing ABS CBN’s digital ecosystem selling strategy.

Her client leadership experience across a diverse portfolio of blue-chip clients such as Beiersdorf, Google, Nissan and Visa will see her lead OMG Philippines in the new era of growth.

In her new role as OMG Philippines’ general manager, Yap will be overseeing the agency’s client accounts, managing new business pitches and streamlining agency processes to ensure the continuous growth of its clients’ businesses. 

Buenaventura said, “Meryl’s extensive client servicing experience within the industry along with her knowledge and capabilities, makes her the right person to continue the success of OMG Philippines. With her on board, I am confident that OMG Philippines has the best team who are focused on building meaningful partnerships with our clients to help them accelerate their business growth.”

Singapore – Public relations firm Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) has appointed Adeline Lee, former head of PR and comms and business director at ADK Connect, to step into the newly created role of general manager for Singapore.

In her new role, Lee will be focusing on driving growth and overseeing all aspects of the business operations and talent development. Her appointment will accelerate H+K Asia’s growth trajectory and complement the agency’s regional expansion plans. Lee will be reporting to Justin Then, CEO of H+K Singapore and Lumos H+K Malaysia.

Lee brings over 20 years of consultancy and in-house experience in communications management. Prior to her previous role at ADK Connect, she was the founder and owner of SG Story, a local boutique agency that specialised in audience engagement, content development and path-to-purchase marketing.

Lee shared that as content and storytelling continue to evolve, there is an increasing need for effective, compelling, and authentic communications that build relationships in today’s complex and ever-changing situations. 

“This is truly an exciting time for marketers, and I am looking forward to partnering with our clients to drive marketing outcomes that are aligned to their business goals,” she added.

Meanwhile, Then commented, “Adeline is a passionate leader with a proven track record of building successful teams and businesses. Her entrepreneurial spirit and deep experience in omnichannel campaigns make her a valuable addition as we continue to expand service solutions and offerings in Singapore.”

HS Chung, president of H+K Asia, said, “I am very pleased with Adeline’s decision to join H+K and her clear vision of how we can continue to build on an already exceptional team. Singapore continues to be an integral hub for our network and clients in the Asia market and this appointment bodes well for H+K Singapore’s growth.”

Singapore – Global web recommendation platform Outbrain has appointed Benjamin Steel, former head of business development for APAC at advertising agency Bench, to be its new general manager for SEA. 

In his new role, Steel, who will be based in Singapore, will be responsible for developing Outbrain‘s regional business strategy and digital growth, leading a successful business team and delivering revenue growth from both publisher and advertiser sales.

Steel has a wealth of experience in APAC, having spent eight years based in Singapore. Aside from his previous role at Bench, Steel has held senior sales management roles at eGentic and AB Tasty. Moreover, he has held various roles in Australia, including new business manager at Yahoo, where he was tasked with launching Yahoo Native.

Commenting on his appointment, Steel said that Outbrain is a rapidly growing company and now is an excellent time to join the team, as he aspires to make a positive difference here.

“Great content matters even more today than ever before. Outbrain publishers can expect continued support to better monetise journalism and independent journalism as we expand deeper into South East Asia regions,” he added.

Meanwhile, Andrew Burke, Outbrain’s managing director for APAC and growth markets (India, China, and Brazil), shared that Steel brings a strong track record of digital technology experience and is the ideal candidate to help lead the business in South East Asia, a region that is becoming increasingly important to their business.

“As Outbrain’s new general manager, we know Benjamin is committed to growing our existing presence in the market. He already has plans to expand the publisher base and deepen relationships with marketers and agencies using our innovative monetisation tools. In doing so, we’re working towards building a thriving native advertising ecosystem in the region,” said Burke.

He added, “His expertise in digital advertising and ability to collaborate in a team-oriented environment will advance our growth in the region, and we are very much looking forward to working with him.”

Sydney, Australia – Global strategic communications and public affairs consultancy Sandpiper has appointed Jasmine Hogg, former director and head of reputation risk at Apollo Communications Australia, to be its new general manager for Australia. This appointment aims to bolster Sandpiper’s presence in the ANZ region, adding senior expertise to the firm’s local offering.

In her new role at Sandpiper Australia, Hogg will be playing a key role in leading the firm’s insurance practice across APAC. She will also be leading an agile team of consultants in Sydney and Melbourne, and collaborate closely with Sandpiper’s New Zealand team.

Jasmine brings more than 20 years of experience in media and corporate affairs, helping organisations around the world prepare and respond effectively to crises and hostile campaigns. She is a specialist in identifying reputation risks for clients in highly regulated industries, including financial services, aged care, pharma, technology, and aviation, as well as security, and education. 

During her stint at Apollo Communications, her work included advising clients during the 2017-18 Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry and the 2018-21 Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. She has also previously held senior advisory roles at several multinational corporations, including Macquarie Bank, Chubb Security, and Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Hogg shared that Sandpiper’s established presence across China, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore gives them a unique platform to help Australian companies target growth and investment in the Asia Pacific region. 

“Similarly, our team of local advisers has the capability to help clients build their reputation capital here in Australia. I’m delighted to be joining such a talented team at an important growth phase for the firm,” she said.

Meanwhile, Emma Smith, Sandpiper’s chief executive, noted that Hogg’s appointment adds bench strength to their team as they build out their presence in Australia and add a senior capability to their firm. 

“We are excited by the growth opportunities for our offering in Australia, in particular in the financial services, energy, healthcare, and technology sectors where we have deep expertise,” said Smith.

Melbourne, Australia – Independent media agency Match & Wood has appointed Daniel Bradley, former national head of investment at advertising agency CHEP Network, to step into the newly created role of general manager for its Melbourne office.

In the newly created role, Bradley will be responsible for client management, commercial, and operational leadership of the agency’s Melbourne team.

Bradley has 15 years of experience, working across media agencies in New Zealand, Germany, and Australia, including PHD, UM, and Carat. During his previous stint at CHEP, he has worked with clients including Coles, Target, Samsung, Australia Post, and Unilever as well as Virgin Airlines.

Bradley shared that in a crowded market of independent media agencies, Match & Wood has carved out a reputation for being smart, and agile, with a deep understanding of human behaviours, customer journeys, and access to market-leading technologies. 

“They have built an incredible team and I’m looking forward to working with them all to continue their upward trajectory,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lyndelle O’Keefe, Match & Wood’s CEO, commented that Bradley joins Match & Wood at a time when they continue to attract leading brands wanting to tap into the expertise and insights that their team offers. 

“We know what a great operator he is and to have someone of his calibre and experience join the agency at this time will only help drive our success,” said O’Keefe.

In February 2022, Match & Wood has also announced its appointment by food company Chobani to handle the media duties of the Chobani and Gippsland Dairy brands in the Australian market.

Hong Kong – Global technology company IBM has appointed Mimi Poon to be its new general manager in Hong Kong. In her new role, Poon will oversee IBM’s business operations and strategic development in Hong Kong and Macau.

More recently, Poon was the director for the software group at IBM Hong Kong, where she was in charge of the company’s data and AI, automation, security and AI application software portfolio and the expert labs to support clients in both Hong Kong and Macau.

She also held several roles at IBM such as technology leader in Hong Kong and client director for banking and finance. She is also an IBM Industry Academy member and a trusted advisor and partner to banks in the Greater China region.

Speaking on the new appointment, Xudong Chen, general manager at IBM Greater China Group, said, “Mimi is our top female leader with in-depth knowledge of Hong Kong’s clients and market. She has strong C-suite client-facing relationships and has been advising many clients, especially in the banking industry, in designing their hybrid cloud and AI journeys.” 

Chen added, “With her strong leadership and proven track record, I’m confident that she will lead the Hong Kong team to help clients innovate and lead the company to new heights.”

Poon succeeds Charles Kiang, who has assumed the role of technology leader at IBM APAC.

Malaysia – Ramping up Wavemaker Malaysia’s capability to take advantage of the huge growth opportunities in the market, the media agency has announced new leadership appointments. This includes the elevation of Sheley Lim, former head of digital at Wavemaker Malaysia, to step into the new role of general manager. 

Lim has been in the industry for 18 years, 14 of which have been with GroupM. She has been instrumental in Wavemaker Malaysia’s own digital transformation journey, and her connectedness to the Wavemaker network and personal contribution to the incredible work created in the region makes her qualified to drive the agency’s growth ambition and clients.

Commenting on her elevation, Lim said, “I am excited about unleashing the full potential of Wavemaker Malaysia. My vision for the agency is to focus on a people-first company by creating an open and inclusive culture where everyone can have their voices heard and share ownership for the direction and future of the company, create and deliver fantastic, meaningful work for our clients and inspire and excite talent with our Wavemaker Provocative Planning mantra.”

Aside from Lim’s elevation, Wavemaker Malaysia has also announced the appointment of Usman Bin Tahir as the new senior business director, Ryan Foo as the new business director, and Aw Wai Choong as the new regional planning director, as well as Chua Shu Jien as the new business director. They will be joining Brandon Chang, Ravi Singh, Eldon D’Cruz, and Cindy Chia as the executive leadership of Wavemaker Malaysia.

Gordon Domlija, Wavemaker’s CEO for APAC, commented that he is filled with genuine excitement and expectation at what they can achieve together.

“Effective leadership is increasingly a collective effort, bringing together exceptional talent, and combining their experiences and expertise to create a whole agency which is far greater than the sum of its individual parts. The future is bright and full of opportunity for Wavemaker in Malaysia,” said Domlija.

Singapore – Revolut, a global financial superapp, has appointed Charles Debonneuil as APAC general manager as it continues to focus on growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Debonneuil will focus on building out Revolut’s local Growth teams and developing the business’ growth strategy, driving rapid new user acquisition in the APAC region.

Debonneuil holds a Masters’ in Management from HEC Paris, during which he also studied at the Wharton School of Business in USA and Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in China.Prior to joining Revolut‘s APAC team, Debonneuil was thepresident of Intrepid Group, a prominent e-commerce solutions provider for global clients, where he oversaw the growth of the company to over 300 workers across Asia.

Debonneuil is also a co-founder and former chief marketing officer of Lazada,thee-commerce platform in Southeast Asia that was acquired by Alibaba in 2016. He oversaw the growth of the business which today boasts approximately 160 million Monthly Active Users across 6 countries.

On his appointment, Debonneuil said, “I’m delighted to join the Revolut team. Revolut’s mission to build a global financial superapp is very exciting, and I’m looking forward to enabling more users in APAC to benefit from Revolut’s product, which is at the forefront of global fintech.”

Meanwhile, Ankit Khemka global general manager and head of marketing at Revolut, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Charles to Revolut as we double down on our commitment in the APAC region. As we continue to deliver more of our core products to the region, Charles’ extensive expertise is a valuable addition in helping us scale our presence in the Asia-Pacific market and getting our global superapp into the hands of more customers.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Lionsgate Play, the premium streaming service platform of Lionsgate-owned STARZ, has announced the appointment of Phait Lee Wong as general manager of Malaysia. Wong will be based in Kuala Lumpur and will be reporting directly to Amit Dhanuka, executive vice president of Lionsgate.

She holds an extensive understanding of business and strategy with over 20 years of experience. Wong will be responsible for operations and management of the Lionsgate Play arm in Malaysia, developing local leadership and teams to support core functions like brand building, strategic innovation and business growth.

Wong began her career in capital markets in the financial and banking sector. In the media sector, she led a range of projects, including international ventures, media property investments, and mergers and acquisitions across multiple markets for Malaysian satellite television provider Astro. Wong conceptualised and developed Astro over-the-top (OTT) service – sooka – targeting Malaysian millennials and sports fans. She also had a key role in partnership deals and successfully launched Maxis TV in December 2021.

Commenting on her appointment, Wong says she is looking forward to bringing her experience and vision to the table and she is thrilled to join the Lionsgate Play team at an exciting stage of its growth in the country.

“Malaysia is a vibrant OTT market with great opportunities for Lionsgate Play to tap into evolving consumer behaviour and their appetite for customisable, on-demand entertainment. I am confident of building the Lionsgate Play brand here and look forward to bringing exclusive, interesting and unique content to a wider Malaysian audience,” Wong said.

Rohit Jain, managing director, networks of Lionsgate emerging markets in Asia, said, “Demand for SVoD services in Malaysia is expected to double in the coming years, and we are positioning ourselves for business growth opportunities. Under the able guidance of Amit Dhanuka, Phait’s wide-ranging experience and stellar vision will be the foundation for us to take Lionsgate Play to new heights as we create long term value for our stakeholders.”

Simultaneously, Dhanuka commented, “We are aggressively gearing up our team in Malaysia following Lionsgate Play’s recent foray into the country in October 2021. Wong’s strategic approach for the brand and app will help us reach newer avenues of growth as we drive momentum for our business here. I look forward to working with Wong to amplify our vision in the market with her expertise and knowledge.”