Ong, who previously served as Vice President for Client Growth, will report to Daryl Ho, Managing Director for Singapore, and oversee the agency’s day-to-day strategic growth and client delivery while continuing to expand its integrated communications and AI-led capabilities.

He joined the agency in 2020 and has since led business development, grown its client portfolio, advanced its digital innovation agenda, and spearheaded its AI readiness initiatives alongside integrated communications, creative, and content-at-scale offerings.

The appointment reflects We. Communications’ continued focus on developing leadership talent from within while strengthening its operational capabilities in Singapore.

“We.’s growth has always been driven by our people,” said Ho. 

“Investing in leadership from within lets us move even faster on the capabilities, culture and expertise that define our business. Ayden brings the innovation and operational discipline that will help us continue to evolve and deliver world-class communications alongside our clients.”

Commenting on his appointment, Ong said the agency’s continued success depends on balancing innovation with its core strengths.

“The most successful agencies are those that keep reinventing while staying true to what made them successful in the first place. My focus will be building on that foundation and ensuring that we remain a relevant and trusted partner to clients navigating an increasingly complex digital-first business and communications landscape,” he said.

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Effective 15 July 2026, Vongsayan will lead efforts to develop new business opportunities, strengthen strategic partnerships, and oversee commercial growth initiatives. She will also help scale dentsu Thailand’s creative capabilities to meet evolving market demands.

Vongsayan brings more than two decades of experience in building and growing agency businesses in Thailand. She co-founded Wolf BKK, helping establish it as one of the country’s recognised creative agencies, before serving as group CEO of TBWA\ Group Thailand, where she led the agency’s transformation. She has also contributed to the broader creative industry, with expertise spanning creativity, strategy, effectiveness, and business growth.

Commenting on her appointment, Vongsayan said, “Thailand is a market with deep creative talent, entrepreneurial energy and increasingly complex business challenges, making it an exciting place to drive the next chapter of growth. dentsu has built a strong position through the strength of its people, integrated capabilities and long-term client partnerships.”

She added, “As the advertising industry evolves, we have an opportunity to redefine the role of agencies by moving beyond delivering campaigns to becoming more meaningful growth partners for clients. By bringing together the full breadth of capabilities across the dentsu network, we can create greater value and play a more strategic role in our clients’ business growth. I am excited to join the team and help unlock even greater ambition together.” 

The creation of the Chief Growth Officer role reflects dentsu Thailand’s continued investment in strengthening its leadership team as it pursues further business growth and expands its creative and commercial capabilities.

The appointment further strengthens dentsu Thailand’s leadership team as the network looks to expand its market presence and support its next phase of growth.

Sanjay Bhasin, CEO of dentsu Southeast Asia, commented, “We have earned our position in Thailand over many years, building through consistency, enforced quietly, over time. Consistency like that has to be protected by continuing to push forward. We are therefore investing in growth because we believe there is more to win. Specifically, the expectations of brand ideas and craft are scaling fast and at a new level of sophistication. We have a team built for exactly that, and what we need now is someone who can make sure that capability reaches every opportunity it deserves to.”

Bhasin continued, “Phannika joins a business that is already on the front foot. She has built a strong track record of growing businesses in this industry and brings the rare instinct to grow from a position of strength. I am confident she will bring that same rigour to dentsu Thailand.” 

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Based in Singapore, Williams will oversee BBC Studios’ advertising sales strategy across Asia Pacific, including Japan and Australia and New Zealand. 

She will also lead the regional sales organisation, with responsibility for driving revenue growth, strengthening client relationships, and expanding the company’s advertising and branded content offering across platforms.

Williams joins BBC Studios from a career spanning senior leadership roles at CNN, Time Warner, and Fox Sports, bringing experience in commercial growth and advertising across Asia-Pacific markets.

The move comes as BBC Studios continues to invest in its advertising business in the region, with the appointment forming part of its strategy to expand its commercial footprint and deepen relationships with brands.

James Wildbore, Global Senior Vice President and General Manager of Advertising Sales at BBC Studios, said, “Erin brings outstanding leadership experience, deep regional knowledge and a clear commercial vision. Her appointment marks an important step in strengthening our advertising capabilities in APAC and positions us for continued growth across the region.”

Williams said, “As one of the most iconic and powerful brands in the world, I’ve long admired the strength of BBC Studios’ content, impact and reputation amongst audiences and partners alike.”

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the APAC team, working together to evolve and grow advertising partnerships with smart and influential creative solutions.”

Beyond the appointment, Williams will work with BBC Studios’ global and regional leadership teams to advance the company’s advertising strategy and develop integrated commercial offerings for clients across the region.

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The appointments include P Sai Bhardwaj as Group Creative Director, Suruchi Makhija as Senior Director of Strategy, and Aveek Gupta as Senior Director of Media.

The agency said the expanded leadership team reflects its focus on helping brands adapt to changing consumer behaviour, as AI, platform algorithms, and evolving digital consumption reshape how audiences discover and engage with brands.

Bhardwaj joins with 19 years of experience spanning brand storytelling and social-first creative work, having previously worked with Prime Video, RPSG Media Group, and brands including Amazon, Google India, and Pernod Ricard.

Meanwhile, Makhija brings more than two decades of experience across GroupM, Publicis, and Cheil Worldwide, where she worked across strategy, creativity, and content. 

At VaynerMedia India, she will lead the agency’s strategy practice using its Platforms, Algorithms and Culture (PAC) framework.

Gupta, who has more than 20 years of experience across DDB Mudra, GroupM, Carat, and Havas Media, will oversee media, with a focus on strengthening collaboration between media strategy and creative.

Commenting on the appointments, Salman Moin, Country Manager of VaynerMedia India, said the leadership additions are intended to strengthen the agency’s ability to help brands respond to shifts in the marketing landscape.

“We are not building a team to carry out campaigns. We are building a team to transform how brands market themselves in a market that is moving faster than most brand playbooks can keep up with,” Moin said.

Founded by Gary Vaynerchuk, VaynerMedia operates across 15 global offices. The agency entered the Indian market in 2024 and works with brands including YouTube, American Eagle, and Ducati.

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Al Zarooni joined Emirates in 2006 and most recently served as vice president for Saudi Arabia, a position he assumed in 2024. 

During his nearly two decades with the airline, he has held commercial and leadership roles across Cyprus, Uganda, Tanzania, Morocco, Greece, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

His experience spans commercial strategy, corporate sales, stakeholder engagement, government relations, and leading multicultural teams across international markets.

Commenting on his appointment, Al Zarooni said, “The Philippines has long been one of Emirates’ key markets in Southeast Asia.”

“Building on Emirates’ 36-year presence in the country, I look forward to working with our customers, travel trade partners and stakeholders to unlock new opportunities for growth and further strengthen Emirates’ position in the market.”

Earlier this year, Emirates expanded its Philippine operations by increasing services through Manila, Cebu, and Clark to 32 weekly flights, strengthening connectivity between the country and the airline’s global network via Dubai.

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The appointment comes as HBA advances its OneHBA framework, which brings together the firm’s design disciplines under a unified platform.

In her new role, Chan will work with hotel owners and operators to align HBA’s multidisciplinary capabilities with clients’ commercial and brand objectives from the earliest stages of development.

Reporting directly to HBA’s co-CEOs, Chan will focus on strategic relationship development, early-stage client engagement, and market intelligence as the firm seeks to deepen its role as a long-term strategic partner within the hospitality sector.

Chris Godfrey, Co-CEO of HBA, said the appointment reflects the firm’s broader evolution.

“Madelaine’s appointment reflects how HBA is evolving as a firm. Her experience enables deeper conversations with our clients about brand intent, commercial realities, and long-term value. This role strengthens our ability to listen, align, and respond thoughtfully as the industry continues to change.”

Chan brings more than two decades of experience across Asia-Pacific, having worked with global hospitality organisations spanning luxury, lifestyle, and experiential hospitality. 

Her expertise includes brand differentiation, portfolio strategy, and guest experience.

“Partnerships are what bring OneHBA to life,” Chan said. “When collaborators are engaged from the beginning, design becomes more intentional and integrated, moving beyond transactional delivery toward shaping outcomes alongside our clients.”

While global in remit, the position will have a strong focus on Asia-Pacific, where HBA sees growing demand across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Greater China for hospitality projects that balance local market insights with international brand consistency.

“Guest expectations are becoming more refined,” Chan added. “Successful partnerships require both sensitivity to local context and clarity of brand narrative, an area where HBA is uniquely positioned.”

Founded in 1965, HBA operates 29 offices across four regions and provides hospitality design services in more than 80 countries.

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Effective immediately, Jones will lead IAS as the media quality company looks to expand its AI-driven capabilities amid the continued transformation of digital advertising. 

Utzschneider, who led IAS for more than seven years, will also serve as a special advisor to Novacap and its portfolio companies.

The leadership transition comes as IAS positions itself for its next phase of growth, with the company aiming to strengthen its role in helping advertisers make real-time media decisions through AI-powered intelligence.

Jones brings more than 20 years of experience across technology and enterprise software. 

Before joining IAS, she served as CEO of Bumble and previously led Slack following its acquisition by Salesforce, where she also held the role of executive vice president and general manager of digital experiences. 

Earlier in her career, she held leadership positions at Sonos and Microsoft.

“IAS occupies a unique position in the market,” said Jones. 

“The company has built an extraordinary technology foundation and has earned real trust across the industry, and with customers around the world. As advertising undergoes another wave of transformation driven by AI, I believe IAS is exceptionally well positioned to lead, innovate, and help customers navigate what’s next.”

Meanwhile, Utzschneider said, “Together, we’ve transformed IAS into one of the world’s most trusted media quality companies, expanding our AI-driven technology to help customers navigate digital advertising with greater intelligence, transparency, and confidence. With Lidiane at the helm, I could not be more excited about the future of IAS.”

The appointment follows a succession process led by the IAS board of directors in partnership with Novacap and Utzschneider.

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De Andréis will continue serving as CEO of Western Europe while taking on the new global position. 

Reporting directly to Chairman and CEO Yannick Bolloré, he will work closely with leaders across Havas’ Creative, Media, Health, and Content at Scale networks to shape global strategy, guide the group’s brand portfolio, and strengthen collaboration across Havas Villages.

The appointment is designed to bring greater strategic alignment across the organization while integrating creativity, media, technology, data, and execution under Havas’ Converged.AI operating system. 

The agency said the move aims to improve delivery for clients while reinforcing its market positioning around its “Growth, Powered by Desire” strategy.

According to Havas, the new role will focus on ensuring strategic consistency across business units, accelerating collaboration between disciplines, and helping clients navigate an increasingly complex communications landscape through integrated business solutions.

De Andréis has played a key role in shaping Havas’ current strategic positioning. He joined the group in 1996 through BETC, later becoming its president in 2007 before serving as executive vice president at Canal+. 

In 2013, he returned to Havas as CEO of Havas Media Network France and President of Havas Productions, later leading Havas Village France and supporting the company’s growth across Western Europe.

His career spans creative, media, content and business leadership, giving him experience across multiple disciplines that Havas says will support its ambition to deliver more connected and measurable outcomes for clients.

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Based in Hanoi, Le will head the consultancy’s operations in Vietnam, overseeing the firm’s local business and supporting its broader expansion of strategic communications advisory services across Southeast Asia.

She joins Ruder Finn Era from Pioneer Consulting, where she spent more than 13 years and most recently served as managing partner. Over her 15-year communications career, Le has advised both multinational and local organisations on corporate communications, brand strategy, and reputation management.

Her portfolio includes communications work for companies such as McKinsey, Traveloka and Mambu, as well as campaigns in the aviation and trade sectors, giving her experience across corporate, consumer and market-entry communications.

Commenting on her appointment, Hailee said, “I’m excited to join Ruder Finn Era at a time when communications are being reshaped by both technology and rising expectations from clients. AI has the potential to make our work smarter, faster and more insightful, but its real value comes from combining it with human judgement, local market understanding and trusted client relationships. As we continue to grow in Vietnam, I’m looking forward to helping organisations embrace that balance and stay ahead of what’s next.” 

The appointment forms part of Ruder Finn Era’s broader effort to bolster its leadership team across Southeast Asia as demand grows for strategic communications counsel that combines local market expertise with AI-enabled advisory services. Vietnam remains a key market for the firm’s regional growth, with Le set to lead its operations and client advisory efforts in the country.

“Hailee’s appointment is about putting genuine senior firepower exactly where our clients need it, in-market and accountable for outcomes,” said Anthony Larmon, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Ruder Finn Era. 

“Vietnam’s 8.02% GDP growth in 2025, the strongest in ASEAN, is fuelling a new wave of multinational investment and demand for senior, AI-enabled communications counsel delivered in-market. Success here depends on people who understand its communities, not global playbooks applied from afar. We don’t outsource, we don’t hand off, and we don’t localise templates. We design AI-powered strategies led by experienced consultants who own the work end to end.” 

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The appointments expand the agency’s regional advisory offering, which spans corporate reputation, AI and data, financial communications, public policy, crisis communications and social impact, as organisations increasingly seek strategic guidance on business transformation and stakeholder engagement.

Rajab joins We. Communications from Weber Shandwick, where he spent a decade leading integrated communications and corporate advisory programmes across Asia-Pacific, most recently serving as general manager for Singapore. 

In his new role, he will lead the agency’s Corporate Advisors team across the region, providing counsel on corporate reputation, communications and brand strategy.

Meanwhile, Keenan has been promoted to lead the newly established AI & Data Advisors practice after five years with the agency. 

reviously executive vice president and international head of insights and analytics, he has led initiatives including the agency’s Future of Communications APAC report.

The AI & Data Advisors team will focus on helping organisations translate AI strategies into business outcomes, offering advisory services covering data governance, AI workflow transformation, agentic commerce, and AI branding and content.

Commenting on the appointments, Nitin Mantri, President of APAC at We. Communications, said clients are navigating increasingly complex communications and business challenges that require integrated strategic counsel across reputation, stakeholder engagement and transformation.

The appointments also reflect We. Communications’ broader investment in multidisciplinary advisory services, following the recent expansion of Chase Advisors, its public affairs and policy advisory business, across India and the wider region.

Both Rajab and Keenan will report to Mantri and join the agency’s APAC leadership team as well as its global advisory leadership group.

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