Tag: Greater China

China – Global omnichannel media agency Assembly has appointed Karen Ho as its first managing director for Greater China, reinforcing its commitment to expanding in the region and driving client growth. 

In this newly created role, Ho will drive Assembly’s growth in Greater China, supporting clients operating or investing in the region. She will lead initiatives to advance product development, talent acquisition, and technology innovation across the agency’s offices in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, ensuring they are positioned to maximise client impact.

Additionally, Ho will enhance cross-market collaboration and develop integrated solutions to support clients’ local and global ambitions. She will also oversee key client relationships, including Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, APM Monaco, Clarins, and American Eagle Outfitters.

With over 20 years of industry experience, Ho has a proven track record of driving growth and delivering results. At Initiative China, she led market expansion for major clients like Volkswagen Group China, Bridgestone, and GM Ultium, earning the agency multiple industry awards, including Agency of the Year. Her expertise in team building and performance-driven leadership positions her to steer Assembly’s next phase of growth.

Commenting on her appointment, Ho said, “I have long admired Assembly for its bold approach to innovation and commitment to excellence. I resonate deeply with the agency’s proposition to Find the Change to Fuel Growth, something I have been committed to fulfilling throughout my career. I’m energised to partner with their talented teams and clients to unlock new growth opportunities in this diverse and fast-evolving region and drive our next chapter of growth across this diverse and dynamic Greater China region.”

Ho’s appointment aligns with the Assembly’s goal to strengthen APAC leadership and deliver market-specific solutions. Following Vivian Mok’s elevation to North Asia managing director, Ho’s addition reinforces the agency’s commitment to in-market expertise and regional innovation.

Richard Brosgill, APAC CEO of Assembly, said, “Karen is a visionary leader with unparalleled market insights and a true appetite to build. Her leadership will be pivotal as we invest strategically into the Greater China region and look ahead to a new chapter of growth as we continue to deliver campaigns that drive both brand and business impact.”

China – UK-based cross-border marketing agency Comms8 has partnered with the UK Advertising Export Group (UKAEG) to bolster the presence of British advertising services in the Greater China region, leveraging its expertise to connect UK creativity with China’s growing demand for global market insights.

The Comms8-UKAEG partnership taps into the growing trend of Chinese brands expanding globally, aiming to leverage British advertising expertise to help these firms navigate complex cultural, consumer, and regulatory landscapes. With UK advertising exports rising 32.5% to £15 billion in 2021, British agencies have proven their ability to engage international audiences, harness cultural insights, and navigate diverse media environments.

For decades, Comms8 has specialised in bridging East and West, offering integrated marketing solutions that blend strategic insight, cultural sensitivity, and technological innovation. Its proven track record includes the award-winning “Weather Kids” climate change campaign, developed with ICCO and UNDP, which garnered recognition at Cannes Lions for its creative storytelling and global impact.

Additionally, the agency’s proprietary SaaS platform, InfluenConnect, recently won an award, showcasing its ability to harness influencer marketing and advanced analytics to enhance international brand visibility.

Through this partnership, Comms8 and UKAEG aim to reinforce the UK’s reputation as a trusted global advertising hub, known for its creativity, sustainable practices, and advanced data capabilities.

Carol Chan, managing director at Comms8, said, “By teaming up with UKAEG, we are to empower companies in the Greater China region to collaborate with Britain’s creative talent as they grow globally. Our role is to ensure strategic thinking, cultural awareness, and practical know-how blend seamlessly, creating lasting international connections and reinforcing British advertising’s position as a go-to resource.”

Aisling Conlon, international trade director for UK advertising at the Advertising Association, added, “Chinese brands venturing abroad need localised insight, compelling narratives, and digital fluency. Comms8’s proven understanding of Greater China’s unique market dynamics ensures that our message resonates, helping both British agencies and Chinese brands thrive in new cultural contexts.”

This partnership was highlighted at the UK-China Brand and Business Forum, co-organised by UKAEG, the China Advertising Association (CAA), and the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT). 

Hong Kong – Uniplan, a brand experience agency, has appointed Judd Christie as chief executive officer for Greater China, reinforcing the company’s commitment to the market.

The appointment is part of Uniplan’s strategy to strengthen its position in the market while pushing for innovation. 

After six years of working at Uniplan, Christie has contributed to driving business results in the region. He first joined Uniplan in 2018 as executive creative director before advancing as managing director. During his stint, he led the team towards growth and innovation.

Amidst Uniplan’s vision of cohesion across its Greater China operations, Christie has also contributed to connecting its offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai.

“I am incredibly honoured to lead Uniplan’s Greater China operations. This region represents tremendous potential for creative and business innovation, and I look forward to driving our strategy forward in uniting top talent and delivering exceptional brand experiences for our clients. As we continue to invest in Greater China, I am confident that we will bring new opportunities and innovations that set us apart in the market,” Christie commented.

Christian Zimmermann, Uniplan’s global chief executive officer, said, “Judd has been an integral part of Uniplan’s growth in Greater China. His creative vision and ability to connect teams across our regional offices have been instrumental in building stronger partnerships and driving strategic change. With Judd at the helm, we are excited to reinforce our commitment to the region and continue delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients.”

Uniplan has been serving in the Greater China market since 1986.

Shanghai, China – McCann Worldgroup China has announced the appointment of Carter Chow as its new CEO for Greater China. 

A highly regarded leader with over 20 years of experience, Chow is rejoining McCann Worldgroup for his second stint. He previously served as the managing director of McCann Worldgroup’s Shanghai office before advancing to the role of chief marketing officer for McCann Worldgroup Greater China.

Chow returns to McCann Worldgroup after an eight-year absence, during which he held several prominent positions: China CEO of J. Walter Thompson, China CEO and Greater China CEO for Wunderman Thompson, and most recently, president of VML.

The McCann Worldgroup network in Greater China includes McCann, MRM, and CRAFT. Chow’s appointment as CEO for Greater China marks a pivotal moment of growth for the network, underscoring its dedication to fostering creativity and innovation within the Chinese market.

Ghassan Harfouche, president of McCann Worldgroup APMENA, commented, “I am delighted that Carter is returning to us to take up the reins of our Greater China operations. Carter brings a unique blend of leadership, strategic vision, and a deep understanding of the Chinese market, along with a proven track record of success. This makes him the ideal candidate to lead our operations in one of the most dynamic and important regions globally.”

Also speaking on his appointment, Carter said, “I’m so pleased to be re-joining such an iconic advertising and marketing brand that’s been so close to my heart. The Chinese market presents immense opportunities, and I am committed to leveraging the strengths of the McCann Worldgroup network and to fostering innovation to enhance our capabilities and offer best-in-class services to our clients.” 

Singapore – Multinational banking and financial services corporation OCBC has announced key leadership changes amidst the group’s ASEAN-Greater China strategic thrust gathering momentum this year.

Wang Ke, currently CEO of OCBC Wing Hang China, will assume the role of head of Greater China, succeeding Tan Wing Ming. With Wang’s appointment, Ang Eng Siong, currently deputy president and head of corporate banking at OCBC Wing Hang China, will step up as the acting CEO of OCBC Wing Hang China.

Wang joined the OCBC Group in 2012 as the Head of IT in China and expanded his responsibilities to include operations in 2014. He was appointed the head of Pearl River Delta region in 2017, then assumed the position of CEO of OCBC Wing Hang China in 2019. Under his leadership, critical technology infrastructure and capabilities were built up, and the business deftly steered through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Ang has been with OCBC since 2009. He spent 6 years in Singapore in various roles across risk management, finance and business development. As part of OCBC’s talent development programme, Ang moved from Singapore to China in 2015. He was appointed China’s chief risk officer in 2018 and head of corporate banking in 2022.

Helen Wong, group CEO of OCBC, said, “I am pleased that our deep internal talent pool has provided the best candidates for these senior Greater China appointments. It affirms our commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and providing avenues for career progression and mobility. Wang Ke and Eng Siong are valuable contributors to the OCBC franchise. I am confident that, in their expanded roles, they will further advance OCBC’s strategic priorities in Greater China.”

Singapore – Brand management company Authentic Brands Group has announced a joint venture partnership with e-commerce business partner Baozun, with the latter acquiring a 51% interest in the British heritage brand Hunter across Southeast Asia and Greater China.

Authentic and Baozun have also entered an exclusive, long-term license agreement through which Baozun will design, manufacture, market and distribute Hunter brand products in Greater China. The license agreement will be assigned by ABG Hunter LLC to Hunter IP Holdco as the licensor across the region.

Jamie Salter, founder and chairman and CEO at Authentic, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Baozun to grow Hunter in this important region. This strategic move is in line with our strategy to think global and act local.”

He added, “By partnering with Baozun, a leader in digital and e-commerce experiences in China and Southeast Asia, we are able to combine our expertise in brand management with their deep understanding of the local market nuances and cultural trends.”

Meanwhile, Vincent Qiu, chairman and chief executive officer at Baozun, commented, “We are excited to share our recent partnership with Authentic Brands Group, a leading global brand management company that owns a large portfolio of more than 50 brands, including many iconic and world-renowned lifestyle brands.”

He added, “This marks another milestone in our transformation where all three business lines will cooperate together to deliver an extraordinary suite of services to leading global brand companies in China and other Asian markets.”

Singapore – Global marketing agency TEAM LEWIS has announced the promotion of several key team members within the Greater China region namely Kate Kwan as managing director for Greater China, Miranda Xie as general manager for Hong Kong, and Stella He as director for Beijing. 

These promotions come as the agency continues to pursue the range of opportunities emerging from across the Greater China region with a more integrated team structure across the market bringing together the Beijing and Hong Kong offices under a singular umbrella.

For her new role as managing director, Kwan would be leading the growth and expansion of TEAM LEWIS within the Greater China region. She bears 3 years of experience as a former general manager for TEAM LEWIS Greater China. 

On the other hand, Xie would be taking up the role of general manager after her term as an associate director for TEAM LEWIS Hong Kong. Her new responsibilities will carry over from her experience and background in tech and corporate sectors.

Meanwhile, He would be taking up the position of Director for TEAM LEWIS Beijing from her former role as an Associate Director. She has 11 years of experience in PR and marketing communication in B2B and B2C brands.

These promotions follow a run of new multi-market client wins for the agency in the past 6- months, including companies such as Endowus, GoGoX and Wharf Hotels.

Keso Kendall, SVP of TEAM LEWIS says that she is thrilled to announce these promotions within the Greater China region.

“We have seen great growth from our Hong Kong office this financial year and the signs are positive that China will follow suit as the market continues to open up post-COVID. I am very excited to see the impact that these promotions will bring to the region and delighted that we are able to continue to support the growth of our highly talented team,” she added. 

OCBC launches unified brand strategy to leverage ASEAN-Greater China potential

Singapore– OCBC recently launched a unified brand strategy across all of its key regions, highlighting its One Group mentality to fully capitalise on the strong ASEAN-Greater China potential. OCBC wants to grow and create an additional S$3 billion in revenue by 2025, outpacing its current growth path, by narrowing its focus on the ASEAN-Greater China region.

Major subsidiaries have changed their names legally in order to create brand uniformity. OCBC Wing Hang Bank Limited in Hong Kong SAR has changed its name to OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, and Banco OCBC Weng Hang, S.A. in Macau SAR. Nowadays, it goes by the name OCBC Bank (Macau) Limited. OCBC Wing Hang Bank (China) Limited is scheduled to change its legal name to OCBC Bank Limited in mainland China during the fourth quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approval.

OCBC has unveiled a unified, updated logo for its banking firms in conjunction with these legal name changes throughout Greater China. In the fourth quarter of 2023, OCBC NISP, OCBC’s Indonesian affiliate, will adopt the same logo. The Bank of Singapore logo remains the same. It is the exclusive private banking arm of OCBC.

The traditional Chinese sailing ship design was retained in the OCBC logo’s 1998 redesign. This recognizable symbol symbolises the pioneering spirit of OCBC’s founding fathers, who constructed residences and companies throughout ASEAN. Since the bank was founded in 1932, it has always been a part of the logo.

Alongside the unveiling of its updated logo, the Bank has introduced a fresh tagline: “For now, and beyond” . The new tagline embodies OCBC’s inherent DNA of consistently adopting a far-sighted approach in its endeavors and investments. It signifies the bank’s dedication not only to the present, but also to the future, as it strives to create a lasting positive influence on the world.

By unifying its brands, OCBC confirms its dedication to leveraging the combined strength of its network and the integrated capabilities of its One Group in the fields of banking, wealth management, and insurance. This tactical action demonstrates OCBC’s commitment to their growth and is intended to increase support for the growing cross-border goals and expansion of both firms and individuals.

Helen Wong, group chief executive officer of OCBC, said, “The flow business between ASEAN and Greater China is not new to us. We recognise its potential. Over the years, we have built a strong franchise and put ourselves in a very good position to capture these flows. The effects of China’s reopening post-pandemic, the rise of ASEAN for the China plus one strategy and other geopolitical factors have amplified this potential,”

“The unified brand that we have unveiled today is yet another strategic move. It solidifies our One Group approach, one of eight core pillars of our Corporate Strategy that was refreshed in 2022. It also furthers our commitment to customers: that when they bank with us, they have the collective strength of OCBC Group supporting them seamlessly across markets. With this One Group approach, our comprehensive ASEAN- Greater China franchise and twin hub proposition of Singapore and Hong Kong becomes even more compelling,” 

Shanghai, China – BBDO in Greater China has announced key leadership changes in its team following the news of Leong Wai Foong, current chairman of BBDO Greater China, stepping down from his current role to pursue music-related opportunities.

The key changes include Arthur Tsang, current chief creative officer of BBDO China as new chief creative officer of BBDO Greater China; Nicole Ma, current chief creative officer at BBDO Shanghai as new chief creative officer of BBDO China; and Kevin Jin, current executive creative director of BBDO Shanghai as new chief creative officer at BBDO Shanghai.

Foong joined BBDO Greater China in 2006 and has since then been instrumental in growing the company into one of the leading creative agencies in the region. He has been a creative visionary who has driven BBDO Greater China’s success and shaped the company’s creative vision. Throughout his time with the company, Leong has played a key role in developing innovative advertising campaigns that have received recognition and awards at various international award shows. 

“It has been an honor to lead such a talented and dedicated team at BBDO Greater China. But after 29 years in the advertising industry, I feel it is time for me to pursue my passion as a musician and composer. I am confident that the talented team at BBDO Greater China will continue to lead the way in innovative and effective advertising solutions,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Tze Kiat Tan, CEO of BBDO Asia, commented on the change, saying, “When I told Andrew Robertson about this news, he said, ‘it’s the end of an era’ I couldn’t agree more. Its been 17 years. He’s been a partner to count on, had a big impact on my career, and a great friend I’ve enjoyed many laughs with. BBDO won’t be the same without him. Leong has made a significant impact on BBDO Greater China and the advertising industry as a whole during his time with us. We’re grateful for what he’s done, but we’re also excited for what he’s going to do next.” 

Shanghai, China — Uniplan, a global agency for brand experience, has appointed Michael Bertin as the new head of digital for Greater China to further strengthen its strategic team. Bertin is based in Shanghai and will report to Andrew Au, chief strategy officer of Uniplan.

Bertin is a creative professional who holds an extensive understanding of the digital field with more than 16 years of experience. In this newly created role, Bertin will work with the team to expand Uniplan’s offering and help drive the digital transformation of the agency.

Prior to joining Uniplan, Bertin used to work for Imagination Asia, TBWA Hong Kong and Publicis Dialog Paris. His experience includes overseeing digital strategy and production for various brands, including B2B and B2C, as well as those in luxury, automotive, and retail while also building strategy for museums and innovation centres.

On his appointment, Bertin said, “Uniplan is embarking on an exciting process of transformation. I’m looking forward to working with the team to further enhance Uniplan’s digital capabilities and develop more innovative solutions. And of course, I also hope to deliver unforgettable moments and transformative results for our clients.”

Meanwhile, Au complimented Bertin, sharing his enthusiasm on the signing, “I am delighted to welcome Bertin to Uniplan. Bertin brings a breadth and depth of experience and expertise that will enable Uniplan to provide boundary-pushing digital and interactive solutions for our clients. Having previously worked with Bertin, I can attest that he is best in class in the digital space and I look forward to working with him again.”