Tag: Leadership

Manila, Philippines – Eunice Lodripas, most recently the director of communications at The Ascott in the Philippines has returned to AHG Hotels and Resorts as its director of corporate communications and marketing. Eunice was previously with AHG as its marketing and communications manager in 2018.

“My role is to be the master storyteller of AHG Hotels and Resorts–overseeing the strategic planning, brand management, and public relations to ensure that all our efforts align with the company’s objectives and resonate with the different stakeholders,” Eunice said in an exclusive conversation with MARKETECH APAC.

She has also expressed interest in enhancing AHG’s image as a hospitality brand and improving its engagement with its customers through various content and campaigns.

“I’m thrilled to collaborate with my team to develop dynamic content and campaigns that will elevate AHG’s brand image and strengthen our connection with customers. I’m also eager to spotlight our brands, showcasing how they blend renowned Filipino hospitality with world-class amenities, and to highlight the investment opportunities available as we look to expand into new markets, both locally and internationally,” she said.

Eunice had spent four years with The Ascott in the Philippines where she started off as a cluster marketing communication manager in 2019 before being promoted to cluster associate director of marketing in 2021 then to her director of communications role in 2023. Prior to Ascott, she was a marketing and communication manager for JEN, a design and lifestyle-centric hotel brand by Shangri-La.

“Being able to pivot fast in the needs of the market, in accordance with the brands I handle is one of the key learnings I will take away with me,” she said when asked to reflect on her previous hospitality industry experience.

When reflecting on the status of the hospitality industry in the Philippines, Eunice acknowledges the continued competition of local and international hospitality brands in the country, and that brands should “do more” to stand out to guests.

“We have a highly competitive market in the Philippines and so it presents both a challenge and opportunity to all the industry players. In this particular instance, providing right kind of information/service/product they need is key to being successful. As one of the constant reminders of one of my mentors before, we need to cut through the noise. We need to do it consistently well,” she said.

When asked what AHG intends to do to stand out in the local hospitality industry, Eunice said, “We’ll see the usage of different media channels, particularly social media. What content we put out, and how responsibly we create this content will all make a difference. We need to put value in anything we share, not just for the sake of selling rooms and being visible.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Andrea Chuang has recently moved from Carro to AirAsia MOVE as its campaign marketing head. In an exclusive conversation with MARKETECH APAC, Andrea notes that in her new role, she will cover the main markets in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore for all the AirAsia MOVE platform campaigns.

“This range from branding campaigns, tactical across integrated channels – driving more brand awareness post-rebranding from AirAsia Superapp to AirAsia MOVE, driving conversions across multiple line of businesses – Flights, Hotels, Hotel+Flights (H&F) bundles, Rides, Asean Explorer Pass, and many more, by leveraging on the app functions like Loyalty (Rewards), Payment (BigPay) as well as Chat (in-app messaging feature),” she explained.

When asked about her particular focus in leadership for AirAsia MOVE, she noted that she will be focusing on hotels and their hotel and flight (H+F) bundle offerings.

“The business is prioritising Hotels & H+F bundles to further drive home the idea of the app being the Asean’s favourite travel app that goes all the way with our consumers. With this, we will be pushing more attractive value-added services & offerings across our services in the app,” she said.

Andrea was most recently the head of marketing for MyTukar Malaysia before it recently rebranded to Carro. This was also not her first time with AirAsia as she was the company’s head of marketing and growth for in-flight and features for two years.

Speaking on her most recent leadership at MyTukar, she said, “During my tenure with myTukar, I learnt that rebranding is a long game – we used 2 years to successfully rebrand to Carro. This is a strategic move to improve its original brand perceptions and credibility by improving internal processes and communicate about its business progress & successes while changing the color from turquoise to orange.”

She added, “Meanwhile covering the consumer segments with campaigns that resonated with the locals like Raya, Merdeka, and many more. These were the building blocks that assisted with the rebranding transition, and set the foundation for the change.”

Andrea also notes that the travel industry has seen a surge post-COVID, and the revenge spending has slightly tapered down. Moreover, consumers are looking for unique experiences and more personalised plans during their travel.

“With this, we’re in a space where it’s opportune for us to address this challenge, so keep your eyes peeled for interesting collaborations and launches to come on AirAsia MOVE,” she added.

She also added, “Our tech & data team is working on better studying this behaviour in preparation to build and launch app features that’ll address these personalised experience with the help of AI.”

Andrea’s move into AirAsia MOVE follows the recent appointment of Ravi Shankar Mallavarapu as its chief marketing officer.

Singapore – Golin, a global public relations agency under the Interpublic Group, has announced the promotion of Shouvik Prasanna Mukherjee to executive vice president for global creative innovation, effective immediately. 

In his new role, Mukherjee will spearhead the development of innovative products and proprietary solutions designed to drive growth for clients, the agency, and the broader industry. He will focus on enhancing the agency’s offerings by advancing cutting-edge solutions, products, and services tailored to the needs of its client portfolio.

Since joining Golin in 2011, Mukherjee has held various creative leadership roles, most recently overseeing APAC-wide creative efforts for major clients like Allianz, Disney+, Harley-Davidson, Hyatt, McDonald’s, and Uber. He is also known for driving successful innovations within the agency’s global network, including the ‘Executive Impact Matrix’ and AI Incubator ‘SPARK’.

Mukherjee’s appointment coincides with his ongoing role as Golin APAC’s chief creative officer. He will also continue to lead the agency’s Creative Intelligence Unit, a division of data analytics pioneers and creative visionaries who blend analytics and measurement expertise with cutting-edge creative and content strategies.

Speaking on his appointment, Mukherjee said, “I’m excited to bring the Asian perspective to Golin’s global portfolio and influence clients at scale. Creating change that matters stems from being at the forefront of culture and creative disruption. In collaboration with my partners on Golin’s innovation council, we are committed to delivering solutions that will shape the future of our client business.” 

Mukherjee will report to Darren Burns, president of APAC, and will also collaborate with Ginger Porter, global chief client officer and chair of the Innovation Council.

Burns shared, “Expanding Shouvik’s contribution to Golin globally comes so naturally, building off the consecutive  successes he has spearheaded. Shouvik’s appointment in this role, based out of Asia, underlines Golin’s commitment to being a truly global agency, and I am confident that the advancements he will make on the global stage will be electrifying.” 

Porter added, “I’m beyond excited to work closely with Shouvik in his new position as we inspire, design, and lead efforts to help our clients solve challenges and seize opportunities in the vanguard of their market. We need to stay ahead of culture,, technology and trends in order to do the best work of our lives, and Shouvik has a proven track record of keeping us and our clients frontfooted on that journey.” 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – DPE Global Services Centre in Malaysia–Domino’s administrative and support services arm–has tapped Salihah Noh to the role of digital & marketing tower lead. It is worth noting that while the company is based in Malaysia, it also supports Domino’s operations across Asia-Pacific and Europe across 12 markets. 

In an exclusive interview with MARKETECH APAC, Salihah stated that her role entails working with the local markets to increase brand awareness, engage customers, and drive sales through digital channels together with the markets.

“Our mission is to create a world-class marketing function that drives growth and enhances the Domino’s brand. We focus on streamlining marketing processes, sharing best practices across markets, and building a world-class global services centre. By leveraging data insights and digital channels, we aim to deliver exceptional marketing services that support Domino’s overall business objectives,” she said.

Salihah added, “My team is responsible for a wide range of marketing activities, including developing digital products, managing customer relationships, enhancing customer experiences, and leveraging data insights to make informed decisions.”

What to prioritise on new role

When asked about what she aims to achieve in her digital and marketing services leadership role, Salihah stated that she will spearhead the development and execution of a world-class marketing function within Domino’s Pizza Enterprise Global Services Center.

“We’re committed to driving growth and enhancing brand value across our Asia Pacific and European markets. To achieve this, we’re building a centralised team of digital marketing experts who can share best practices and collaborate seamlessly,” she said.

She also highlighted five key attributes that she aims to prioritise: building a centre of excellence, standardisation and optimisation, talent development, data-driven decision-making, and global collaboration.

For her, improvement of the company’s tools and processes relies on establishing a shared service centre that becomes a hub for digital and marketing expertise, identifying and nurturing top talent across the organisation. Moreover, there should be also implementation of standardised processes, tools, and metrics to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. 

“By benchmarking against industry best practices, we can optimise our operations and deliver superior results,” she noted.

Salihah also remarked on how the company will continue leveraging data analytics to identify trends, measure performance, and optimise marketing campaigns, and that by harnessing the power of data, they can make informed decisions and deliver greater ROI.

People-wise, she stated that investing in their team’s growth through providing opportunities for skill development, training, and exposure to emerging technologies, will foster a culture of innovation and enable us to stay ahead of industry trends. Lastly, by fostering collaboration among different markets to share knowledge, best practices, and insights–said cross-functional approach will drive innovation and accelerate their time-to-market.

“A core focus is establishing a robust shared service centre that provides efficient and scalable marketing & digital solutions. By standardising processes, leveraging data analytics, and investing in our team’s development, we aim to optimise performance and deliver exceptional results. We’re also dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, enabling us to stay ahead of industry trends and meet the evolving needs of our customers,” she explained.

Bringing recent leadership learnings to new role

Prior to joining DPE Global Services Centre Malaysia, Salihah was most recently the group head of marketing for digital, performance and CRM at Boost where she oversaw the overall drive of the company’s E2E strategy, planning and growth of the marketing activity across the digital marketing team, performance campaign management, CRM team as well as financial services vertical. Prior to Boost, she was Astro’s senior assistant vice president of digital innovations and customer experience.

Looking back, Salihah said that her previous roles at Astro and Boost have provided her with a strong foundation for the new leadership role at Domino’s Global Shared Service Center.

“At Astro, I honed my ability to innovate and deliver exceptional customer experiences. This deep understanding of customer needs and behaviours is invaluable in developing effective marketing strategies and digital touchpoints for Domino’s,” she said.

Salihah added, “My tenure at Boost equipped me with a robust skill set in digital marketing and performance optimisation. I successfully drove digital growth and achieved measurable results through data-driven campaigns. These experiences are directly transferable to Domino’s, where I can leverage digital channels to increase brand awareness, drive sales, and enhance customer engagement.”

She further explained that while she hasn’t held a traditional shared services role, her experience in managing cross-functional teams and optimising processes at both Astro and Boost has prepared her to build and lead a high-performing shared service centre for Domino’s.

“While the food industry presents unique challenges, I believe my ability to understand customer behaviour, leverage digital platforms, and drive operational excellence will be instrumental in achieving Domino’s business objectives,” she said.

Tackling F&B’s complex challenges in new role

When asked about the marketing challenges in the F&B industry, she notes that said industry is currently facing a complex set of challenges, including economic uncertainty, characterised by rising inflation and economic downturns, and has significantly impacted consumer spending habits. 

“Simultaneously, maintaining affordability without compromising product quality is a delicate balancing act as costs continue to rise. The industry must also adapt to evolving consumer preferences, which lean towards healthier, sustainable, and personalised food options,” she stated.

On another note, Salihah said that the rapid pace of technological advancement necessitates substantial investments in digital platforms, data analytics, and delivery infrastructure to stay competitive. Moreover, the intense competition within the F&B market requires strong brand differentiation, exceptional customer experiences, and effective loyalty programs to thrive.

For the people’s side, she stated that the ongoing talent shortage across various roles presents significant hurdles in acquiring and retaining skilled employees, demanding innovative recruitment and retention strategies. For her, these challenges collectively impact the industry’s profitability and growth, necessitating strategic and adaptive responses.

To overcome these challenges, Salihah believes that the future of F&B lies in creating deeply connected relationships with customers and that authenticity is key. 

“People crave real connections. We’ll focus on creating content that is genuine, relatable, and inspiring. By sharing our story and the stories of our customers, we can build a loyal and passionate community,” she said.

She added, “We believe in a world where every interaction with Domino’s feels personal and meaningful. By harnessing the power of data, we can tailor experiences to individual preferences, from the moment a customer visits our website to the moment they enjoy their pizza.”

Salihah also stresses the importance of innovation in the F&B space, a key objective for DPE Global Services Centre Malaysia to improve Domino’s operations in APAC and Europe.

“Innovation is at the heart of what we do. We’re constantly exploring new ways to delight our customers, whether it’s through cutting-edge technology, unique product offerings, or unforgettable in-store experiences. We’re committed to creating moments that go beyond just delivering a pizza; we want to create memories,” she concluded.

Manila, Philippines – Local coffeeshop chain PICKUP COFFEE has tapped seasoned industry leader Francis Flores as its president and country CEO amidst the company’s continued growth in the country and tapping into a growing coffee market locally.

In an exclusive conversation with MARKETECH APAC, he stated that his role will focus on driving PICKUP Coffee’s brand equity by emphasising value-for-money offerings without compromising quality.

He also added that the goal is to build a brand that resonates deeply with Filipinos by offering exceptional coffee at an accessible price point.

“We aim to expand our footprint strategically across the country, leveraging data-driven insights to optimise our store locations and operational efficiencies. Embracing tech innovations, like our app for convenient ordering and loyalty rewards, will also be key in enhancing the overall customer experience” he stated.

Blending sales and marketing leadership to boost growth

Flores is no stranger to said roles, as he has around 27 years of sales and marketing leadership experience spanning FMCG, QSR, and telco industries. He was most recently the senior vice president and business unit head for mobile and consumer wireless business at SMART Communications, where he was responsible for achieving revenue, market share, brand equity, CX, and profit targets for the company.

Before SMART Communications, Flores spent 14 years with Jollibee Food Corporation (JFC) where he held multiple marketing leadership roles for some of the company’s restaurant brands including Chowking and Greenwich and other regional roles. He then spent six years as the global brand and chief marketing officer for JFC, as well as as JFC Philippines’ country marketing head.

He had also a decade of experience at Unilever where he first started his career journey. At the company, he served in manager-level roles for the Philippines until he was named the regional brand director for Unilever’s deodorant brand for males–Axe–in Asia.

“My extensive experience in sales and marketing at Unilever has given me a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and brand management, which I’m leveraging to strengthen PICKUP Coffee’s market positioning. Additionally, my leadership roles as President of Dunkin in China and Highlands Coffee in Vietnam have provided me with invaluable insights into scaling businesses in diverse and competitive markets,” he explained.

He added, “My experience leading consumer-centric campaigns at Jollibee and SMART has also given me a deep understanding of how to connect with the Filipino market on an emotional level. These experiences enable me to approach PICKUP Coffee’s growth with a strong strategic foundation, ensuring that we can expand rapidly while maintaining brand experience and operational excellence.”

Flores also remarked how the key learning that he brings to the company is an obsession with delivering an exceptional customer experience. For him, he witnessed during his time at Jollibee how putting the customer at the heart of every decision drives loyalty and growth. Meanwhile, during his time at SMART, he learned the importance of leveraging technology to create seamless and enjoyable customer interactions. 

“These experiences taught me that a relentless focus on customer satisfaction is crucial. At PICKUP Coffee, I’m implementing these principles by ensuring we’re not just offering coffee, but creating moments that delight our customers every day,” he said.

Navigating F&B industry challenges as a marketing leader

For Flores, one major challenge in the industry is the evolving consumer behaviour post-pandemic, where there’s a heightened focus on value and convenience. Moreover, he opportunity lies in tapping into the digital transformation that has accelerated in the F&B industry. 

“Brands that can effectively use digital platforms to enhance customer engagement, streamline operations, and offer personalised experiences will stand out. For PICKUP Coffee, this means enhancing our digital presence and creating more touchpoints for customer interaction,” he said.

When asked about trends in the F&B scene this year and beyond, he stated that in 2024, they will see consumers becoming more conscious and discerning about their purchasing decisions, with a greater emphasis on the value they receive. 

“There will be a growing demand for transparency, quality, and personalised experiences. At PICKUP Coffee, we’re focused on meeting these expectations by offering high-quality coffee at an accessible price point, ensuring consistency across all our outlets, and leveraging digital platforms to provide personalised, convenient experiences. By doing so, we aim to build strong, lasting relationships with our customers,” he concluded.

Malaysia – To advance its vision of delivering comprehensive marketing solutions, Naga DDB Tribal has strengthened its creative leadership team with key appointments: Vix Chandra as executive creative director, Loo Swee Mei as senior creative director, Alicia Hew as creative director, and Ong Poh Jet as associate creative director.

Leading the series of new hires is Chandra, who steps into the role of executive creative director. With 18 years of diverse experience, Chandra brings a unique global perspective on creativity, content marketing, brand strategy, and pop culture.

Chandra has held key roles at Red Bull Media House, Austria’s LOOP, and On in Switzerland, where he excelled in integrated marketing, strategic collaborations, and content generation. Notable achievements include elevating Porsche’s brand persona, launching On’s entry into pop culture, and leading major social media moments for Red Bull. 

His creative leadership and talent for blending entertainment and culture into marketing strategies will be crucial in advancing the agency’s creative offerings and enhancing its digital experience and content studio services. He will drive the agency’s creative direction alongside chief creative officer Alvin Teoh and executive creative director Nik Radzi, further diversifying and strengthening the leadership team.

Following Chandra’s appointment, Loo also joins Naga DDB Tribal as its new senior creative director. With nearly two decades of experience in both agency and client roles, Loo has worked with leading agencies, including FCB Malaysia, Ogilvy, Dentsu, and Spin. Her career also includes leadership roles at Dentsu Shanghai and the Shanghai Disney Resort.

Her personalised approach has driven successful campaigns for brands such as Canon, Toyota, Malaysia International Airports, KFC, Playstation 5, and Nespresso. 

In her new role, Loo’s expertise in creative ideation, art and design, creative tech, and new media will play a pivotal role in strengthening the agency’s creative leadership and driving its mission to deliver world-class creative solutions.

The agency has also brought on board Hew as its new creative director. She will leverage her expertise in strategic communication and creative direction to help the agency create impactful and resonant campaigns.

Recognised as one of Malaysia’s “Most Awarded Creatives in 2021,” Hew brings a robust background from Ogilvy, McCann, BBDO, and Dentsu Creative. She has also led successful initiatives for prominent brands, including Guinness, Maybelline, Nike, Snickers, Wrigley’s, and Mamee Monster.

Rounding out the new creative leadership team, Ong will also join the agency as associate creative director. His talent for leading and inspiring design teams will enhance the agency’s visual and design output, helping to deliver captivating and inspiring experiences for audiences.

Ong brings over a decade of design and art direction experience from renowned agencies including M&C Saatchi, Ogilvy, and Bonsey Jaden. His work has significantly contributed to brands like Pizza Hut, Coca-Cola, Astro, and KFC.

The addition of these creative leaders marks a pivotal moment in the agency’s journey, as their diverse expertise and global perspectives are set to elevate Naga DDB Tribal’s ability to deliver impactful campaigns for its clients.

Speaking on these new appointments, Kristian Lee, group executive director at Naga DDB Tribal, said, “At Naga DDB Tribal, we have strong ambitions for growth and a vision of what we can evolve into in the very near future. As such, we are currently actively on the lookout for talent that can not only contribute towards that vision but also display ownership by stamping their own imprint on our direction as a company.” 

“As an agency that constantly has an eye on the future while striving to improve for the present, we are conscious of the immediate benefits of bringing on board fresh perspectives, capabilities, and leadership to inspire powerful, effective, and strategic creative output. Having said that, it is also essential for our young and emerging talent to have access to a multitude of leaders with diverse skill sets to aid in the growth of their burgeoning careers. Naga DDB Tribal has had a storied and proud tradition of serving as a springboard that grows careers within the Malaysian marketing industry by promoting a culture of learning for our talent, and we have every intention of continuing and promoting this culture from within,” he added. 

Naga DDB Tribal is enhancing its creative leadership team to drive its growth and mission as an agency. The agency is committed to delivering innovative, technology-driven creative experiences, leveraging advancements in AI, VR, and emerging media platforms.

“With our on-going investment in talent, creative stewardship, and inspiration brought about beginning with the additions of Vix, Swee Mei, Alicia, and Poh Jet to the agency, we are confident and excited about the impact they will have in charting the future of our agency as well as in achieving our commitment of delivering even higher standards of excellence across various creative disciplines to the benefit of our current and potential clientele,” Lee concluded. 

Singapore – Global gaming and entertainment company Ampverse Group has announced the appointment of a new board of advisors comprising distinguished global executives from the gaming, advertising, investment, technology, and media sectors. This strategic move accelerates Ampverse Group’s expansion and solidifies its position as a dominant force in the industry.

The new members of the advisory board include John Redgrave, Marcus John, Rohit Sharma, Oliver Woodley, Chirag Shah, and Gita Ramakrishnan. Together, they will propel Ampverse Group into its next phase of growth under the leadership of Ampverse CEO Charlie Baillie.

As the former vice president at Discord, Redgrave played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and success. He previously founded Lattice, which was later acquired by Apple and Sentropy which was sold to Discord. With a deep understanding of digital platforms and a keen eye for innovation, Redgrave brings invaluable expertise to Ampverse Group’s advisory board.

Meanwhile, for over 3 decades, John has advised Fortune 500 companies, federations, governments, and investors on major sports and entertainment investments, including the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, and Formula 1. He is currently the CEO of Sports Capital Advisors and was formerly global head of sports of WPP’s MediaCom and managing director of IMG/Endeavor China.

As the former COO and board member of AnyMind Group, Sharma also founded POKKT, a mobile video advertising platform in India, SEA and MENA that has been backed by Investors such as JAFCO Asia, Jungle Ventures, Singtel Innov8 and GSF.

Meanwhile, Woodley is the global commercial director of Soho House Group and long-time investor into Ampverse, and also formerly held senior roles at VICE Media. 

For Shah, he is a seasoned entrepreneur, having co-founded several ad tech companies, including one acquired by Dentsu. He brings a wealth of experience in Gaming 360, scaling businesses, giving investment advice, and navigating complex markets. 

Lastly, Samakrishnan is a seasoned investor with over 20 years of experience in capital markets, excelling in both private and public equities with a top decile performance record. 

The combined expertise and global reach of this new board will be a driving force in Ampverse Group’s ambitious growth plans. These advisors bring unparalleled experience in digital innovation, strategic investments, and market expansion. Their insights and leadership will guide Ampverse Group in exploring new frontiers, enhancing its market presence, and fueling sustainable growth.

Charlie Baillie, CEO of Ampverse Group, said, “To build a remarkable company, you need a remarkable team. Since founding Ampverse Group in 2019, we’ve been fortunate to attract a world-class group of team members and investors. Looking ahead, we have huge global ambitions, and therefore I’m excited and honoured that such a distinguished group of leaders from the gaming, media, investment, technology, and advertising sectors share our vision and have agreed to join our newly formed advisory board.” 

Singapore – Omnicom Media Group Singapore (OMG Singapore) has promoted Jourdan Tan to general manager of digital capabilities and transformation, tasking him with spearheading the company’s digital evolution and enhancing its SEO, programmatic, performance hub, and planning and supply capabilities.

Tan was most recently OMG Singapore’s head of digital transformation and capabilities, and prior to that, he was head of performance. Under his leadership, his team doubled in size while maintaining strong retention and succession rates, showcasing his ability to attract, develop, and advance top talent in the digital landscape.

He also established a task force to foster the growth of OMG Singapore’s digital community and leads quarterly digital sessions to keep teams updated with the latest industry insights.

In his new role, Tan will leverage his vast experience to oversee OMG Singapore’s digital capabilities, driving best practices, talent expansion, and knowledge development.

Tan is part of the OMG Singapore executive committee, comprising CEO Chloe Neo, CFO Reynold Seah, head of investments and commercial Anita Yeong, OMD Singapore CEO Sadhan Mishra, and PHD Singapore MD Sumiati Hashim, and will continue working with them to steer the Singapore operations.

Commenting on the promotion, Neo said, “Jourdan’s ability to harness the power of digital capabilities across a diversified group of thriving talent, innovative products, and solutions reflects his comprehensive understanding of the digital ecosystem as well as his future forward leadership. His leadership and generative mindset have been instrumental in the organisation’s digital transformation.” 

Neo added, “OMG Singapore is riding on the wave of success, having risen a notch to #2 in both COMvergence and RECMA 2023 Billings Rankings, with a significant share in non-traditional billings. This is a testament to OMG’s suite of advanced capabilities and future-facing solutions, which we have continually invested in and established over the years. I congratulate Jourdan on this well-deserved promotion and look forward to working with him and the Singapore executive committee to take OMG to greater heights.”

Also speaking on his promotion, Tan shared, “I am honoured to take on the role of General Manager of Digital Transformation and Capabilities. As we navigate this ever-evolving digital landscape, our growth mindset will be our compass, guiding us to adapt and innovate for the future. Our focus is on delivering robust capabilities with cutting-edge technology and data, ensuring operational excellence at every step. But at the heart of this transformation journey is our commitment to nurturing our people and talents, as they are the true drivers of our success.”

India – Brand consulting firm Landor has announced the promotion of Lulu Raghavan as its new president for Asia Pacific. 

In her new role, Raghavan will lead a diverse and talented team of creative professionals across APAC, fostering a high-performance culture and extraordinary creativity to drive business growth.

With 23 years of experience at Landor, Lulu Raghavan brings a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the branding industry. Throughout her tenure, she has held various roles across several key markets, including San Francisco, New York, London, and Mumbai.

Raghavan will remain based in Mumbai and report to Christian Schroeder, global president of Landor.

Schroeder said, “We are very excited to see Lulu step into the APAC President role. Her extensive experience, dedication, and innovative approach make her the perfect fit to lead the region. I am personally delighted for Lulu, and confident that she will continue to drive growth and excellence across our APAC offices.”

Also speaking on her promotion, Raghavan shared, “I am honoured to take on the role of President for the APAC region. This is an exciting time for Landor, and I am eager to build on our strong foundation and continue to drive innovation and growth. I look forward to working closely with our talented teams across APAC to deliver exceptional value to our clients.”

Singapore – International B2B marketing specialist Fifth Ring has announced the expansion of its Asia team with the appointment of two new marketing specialists and four promotions within the Singapore office. These moves reinforce Fifth Ring’s commitment to delivering industry-leading marketing expertise for clients across Asia.

The firm has welcomed Celestine Quek as account director and Shivani Shinde as account manager to the team in Singapore. Moreover, it has also promoted Parada Sritaragul as head of campaign, Jaralyne Cueto as campaign manager, Disha Puspitasari as senior campaign executive and Carolyn Kok as account manager.

Quek brings a wealth of strategic communication, marketing, client account management and cross-functional team leadership experience. With a proven track record of delivering integrated campaigns for leading brands globally, she will be instrumental in driving client growth and elevating our offering in Asia. 

Meanwhile, Shinde joined Fifth Ring with a broad knowledge of the maritime industry and a strong digital marketing background. She will be a key part of the account management team to deliver impactful marketing campaigns for clients.

Lastly, beyond the campaign team, Carolyn Kok, in her role as account manager, will now oversee client growth, maintain client relationships and provide strategic counsel to clients looking to drive successful B2B campaigns.

For Fifth Ring, its elevation of the global campaign team based in Singapore will enable the team to drive meaningful campaigns for clients regionally and globally. 

Debbie Ho, regional director at Fifth Ring Asia, said of the appointments, “The addition of Celestine and Shivani significantly strengthens our capabilities in Asia. Celestine’s experience managing global accounts, combined with Shivani’s knowledge in our specialist industries will be invaluable in helping our clients achieve their marketing goals and own their space in Asia’s dynamic B2B landscape.”

Meanwhile, Ian Ord, founder and chief executive officer at Fifth Ring, commented, “We are thrilled to recognise the dedication and talent of Parada, Carolyn, Jaralyne and Disha. Their promotions reflect their commitment to excellence and their contributions to the continued success of our global team.”

Fifth Ring’s client base in Asia includes manufacturer of high-value-added products in advanced stainless steel, special alloys, and industrial heating Alleima, provider of ammonia-to-power solutions Amogy, owner and operator of maritime transportation assets and specialised services AET and smart energy solutions provider CHINT.