Tag: Leadership

Singapore – Independent creative agency GOVT Group has officially launched MINISTRY, a hybrid consulting and agency model, and has appointed Kelvin Koo as its new managing director and partner.

MINISTRY is a digital consultancy dedicated to driving digital growth and transformation tailored to the contemporary needs of business owners and marketing leaders.

The newly launched agency will focus its offerings on ensuring growth for its clients. It is committed to a holistic approach to digital growth and transformation, providing strategic consulting and execution across diverse domains, including social and content, UI/UX, tech, digital media, CRM, and data analytics.

And to lead the MINISTRY, GOVT has brought in Koo as its managing director and partner, who was back in the agency world after a brief hiatus.

Earlier this year, Koo joined GOVT as a consultant, contributing to the agency’s strategic efforts to bolster its digital capabilities. This collaboration has culminated in the assembly of a robust team of specialists adept at delivering comprehensive digital marketing solutions, including data analytics, digital product planning, and expert consultation for seamless digital ecosystem integration and implementation.

His decision to return was sparked by the compelling vision and ambition of the partners at GOVT Group and the unique opportunity to construct an agency model with a distinctive culture.

Koo’s wealth of experience comes from his previous roles, serving as CEO at FALCON Agency and managing director at ADK Connect.

MINISTRY will leverage Koo’s extensive expertise as it aims to integrate strategic advisory and data with creative storytelling, design, tech, and digital performance to deliver tangible, impactful results.

Together with Koo, GOVT also appointed Foong Min Mei as the new growth director and partner at MINISTRY. Prior to her appointment, she worked as a digital and social lead at GOVT Singapore.

Leon Lai, co-founder and CEO at GOVT Group, said, “Our vision has stayed the same since Day 1: create a company that has longevity, possesses ambition, and champions foolish bravery. It has been 11 years since we started this journey, but we’re still not done or content with what we have built. As a partner-led business, we’re excited to attract someone of Kelvin’s calibre onboard this journey as we take deliberate steps towards fulfilling our mission of being a leading Asian communications company.” 

Also commenting on the appointment, Alvina Seah, group managing director at GOVT Group, said, “Kelvin’s leadership and proven track record in building agencies and delivering results-driven digital solutions to clients make him the ideal figure to spearhead MINISTRY. His commitment to growth and culture aligns perfectly with our mission, making this collaboration strategic and synergistic.” 

Meanwhile, Koo commented, “Our game plan at MINISTRY is straightforward: marry sharp strategic advice with creativity, the latest tech, and strong digital know-how. This way, we can get into the nitty-gritty of what CMOs and business owners are up against and offer them insights and solutions that hit the mark.”

In pursuit of one’s professional aspirations, a true marketing leader is dedicated in delving deeper into the intricacies of customer dynamics within their regional leadership landscape. For an ideal leader, the true ambition is to not only comprehend the nuances of this diverse market but also to play a pivotal role in moulding their business framework into one that fosters enduring profitability through steadfast foundational principles.

For MARKETECH APAC’s second Milestone Series article, we spoke with Achint Setia, chief revenue and marketing officer at ZALORA, to share one of his greatest milestones–leading ZALORA’s marketing efforts across the Southeast Asian region, in order to contribute towards shaping ZALORA’s business model.

In this narrative, we take a look of his accomplishments within the company, what his industry insights are, and what he aspires as a marketing leader moving forward.

Challenges on leaping to a new role

Prior to joining ZALORA, Setia was previously the CXO and head, marketing and social commerce business at Indian fashion e-commerce company Myntra. He has two decades of experience across media, management consulting and technology. For him, he joined ZALORA at a time when the larger consumer tech industry, and e-commerce in particular, was going through a major transition, with the focus shifting from pure play growth towards profitability. 

When asked what was his biggest challenge as a business leader, he said that it had something to do with driving business outcomes in a very volatile macroeconomic landscape in Southeast Asia, among inflationary pressures, geo-political challenges, supply chain disruptions (with lockdowns in some markets), unprecedented consumer purchase behaviours (with the return to offline), as well as weakened employee morale from the pandemic era.

“Keeping our teams excited and motivated about the opportunity ahead, while continuing to push problem-solving and innovation in unexplored territories, has been a roller coaster thus far, but it has also been an immensely rewarding ride over the last year. Throughout this period, I am extremely thankful to be a part of a caring organisation surrounded by highly talented colleagues, and for the presence of a strong family support system to help me through this transition,” he said.

What contributions led to one

Building continued success on the company’s anniversary milestone

Setia noted that a key factor why businesses needed to calibrate nowadays is because consumers are now enticed with digital-led strategies, which include innovations like “Shoppertainment” – a portmanteau of “shop” and “entertainment” – and virtual retailing, which further diversified retail’s omnichannel ecosystem.

Citing a recent report they had, he goes on to say that consumers are becoming increasingly adept at shifting between reality and virtual landscapes – they constantly straddle between both on a daily basis. This brought on an increased demand for shopping journeys to be more humanised and personalised as they continue to discover their footing in today’s “next normal.

“Customer experience is always a key priority for me, and we still see many opportunities for us to spearhead improvements to consumers’ e-commerce experience in the region,” he said.

For ZALORA’s recent anniversary, the company launched several pop-up activations with partners like Adidas, Nike, and Trendyol, which offered immersive ‘click-and-mortar’ experiences. Citing an example, a pop-up collaboration with Adidas, called The Supermart, showcased over 90 Adidas products exclusive to ZALORA, and enabled customers to explore a supermarket-themed physical store, scan unique QR codes tagged on each item, and purchase via the ZALORA app with direct shipping to their doorstep.

Moreover, a significant portion of the company’s achievements this year can be attributed to their year-end mega campaigns such as 11.11, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and 12.12.

“We see strong performance during our shopping events, and typically enjoy three to six times the number of sales as compared to non-campaign days – last year, we saw the highest number of sales during 11.11 and 12.12 compared to any other day,” Setia also added.

He also added that the company also made significant investments and progress on customer loyalty. For the company, they revamped their subscription program, Zalora VIP, which offers free and fast shipping at no minimum spend, along with a host of privileges such as access to sales, priority customer service, and exclusive offers from their lifestyle partners for a complete VIP like experience for their subscribers. 

Aspirations of bringing more success to ZALORA

As the company’s chief revenue and marketing officer, his main objective is to drive business growth and profitability led through customer experience, assortment and post purchase experience.. For him, they are placing significant emphasis on their customer journeys and personalisation to ensure increased engagement, loyalty, and satisfaction when customers interact with ZALORA.

“This includes anticipating and addressing the growing demands of our customers by ensuring that we offer the best assortment of only authentic products from over 3,000 brands; deploying innovative omnichannel strategies–like The Supermart–to create inventive and personalised retail journeys; and adopting 27 different payment methods, including innovative options like BNPL and other digital wallets to broaden financial accessibility and inclusion for millions of SEA’s underbanked,” he explained.

He goes on to say that they also aim at expanding their platform services business to enable brands to grow their presence in the region and provide breakthrough solutions to enhance the overall customer journey.

However, Setia noted that brands venturing into overseas markets often face a multitude of challenges, and this is particularly true in Southeast Asia, a region with complex geographies, and where each country boasts its own customs, culture, religion, and language.

And yet, for him, it is also a region where e-commerce is experiencing strong growth on the back of continuing digitalisation and a rising middle class.

“The combination of ZALORA’s holistic platform services empowers our brand partners to swiftly and more effectively capture the region’s demand boom – whether it is harnessing benchmark data to understand buying behaviour and pricing insights from close to 60 million monthly platform visits with our ‘TRENDER’ data service, or boosting brand visibility through targeted content, onsite campaigns, influencer marketing, insights, and analytics through our ZALORA advertising platform (ZAP), or even tapping onto our comprehensive supply chain infrastructure and state-of-the-art logistics capabilities across different markets, through our fulfilment services,” he added.

When asked what he wants to continue doing as part of ZALORA, Setia says he wants to go deeper with his customer understanding in Southeast Asia, as well as contribute towards ZALORA’s business model.

“My personal passions include investments in building deeply segmented experiences using advanced analytics, along with driving a multi-channel engagement ecosystem to inspire customers to shop at the convenience of their fingertips,” he said.

This piece is published under MARKETECH APAC’s content series ‘Milestones’, which celebrates the different milestones and achievements of industry leaders across the Asia-Pacific region. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.

Building a career in a foreign land is a feat that’s not easy to achieve. Along the way, hurdles, failures, and hardships are to be expected, but with hard work and determination, valuable lessons and achievements will surely come with the challenges.

For the inaugural piece of MARKETECH APAC’s Milestones Series, we talked with Mark Opao, communications planning partner for APAC and META at Kaspersky, to share one of his greatest milestones — having a successful career in Singapore and China for the past 12 years and counting. In this narrative, Opao bares some of the challenges, the achievements, and career lessons that he gained through these years.

Taking the leap

Having a steady career in the Philippines, Opao didn’t have plans to move out of the country in his early days. This was until a couple of opportunities were presented to him in Singapore. Taking a leap of faith, he decided to give it a try without any high expectations — which led him to where he is today.

“I already moved several times in my career so far (from the Philippines to Singapore to China and back to Singapore), and I would say the defining moments of these moves were the exciting opportunities that it presented. I get exhilarated when I explore unfamiliar territories and the chance to meet new people of different backgrounds and perspectives,” Opao said.

Overcoming challenges

One of the most difficult challenges Opao had to face working in a foreign country was the difference in culture. To this, he admitted that it became hard for him to work with people with different working cultures. But through time, he learned how to manage his relationships with his colleagues, whilst still maintaining boundaries.

“When you move to another country, you’re the one who should adjust and not the other way around. That includes having an open mind and learning to appreciate (or even practice) their way of life and working styles, the customs and traditions, as well as the nuances in the way they engage with people,” he said.

Another thing was working in a fast-paced and high-pressure advertising market. He even mentioned that in Singapore and China, there is a need to increase resilience, especially in thriving against tough and stressful situations. 

“In my job where I need to hit the ground running from Day 1, the way I managed to overcome challenges is EMBRACING IT. When I move markets or join a new team/company, I always like to start by observing everything- from the meeting dynamics, to looking at previous reports and presentations, and even interactions during lunch. From there I take down notes, highlight key pointers, and from there I make my “attack”!”

Better than gold: His most valuable career lessons

For Opao, the past 12 years were a tough road, but it was also when he picked up some of the most valuable lessons that he still treasures to this day, one being the true meaning of humility. According to him, he thought at first that being humble is to avoid being in the limelight, immediately putting down any form of praise or recognition from others, and shying away from leading bigger responsibilities. 

“Now I believe that true humility is recognizing that you are blessed with certain gifts/talents/strengths and you should use that to reach out and help as many people as possible. Personal branding and promoting yourself well are very important. But you must use it with the right intention. Don’t remain quiet and allow yourself to just be put on the side whereas you know that you have more to give and more to share,” he said.

As he climbed the corporate ladder, Opao also eventually realised that skills, intelligence or plain hard work alone will not take someone upward, seeing different people use different ways, both good and bad, to get to the top — thus, he learned never to lose his values.

“It can be easily tempting to join the bandwagon. But in a world where you are as good as your last show, when the moment comes where everything has been stripped down from you- power, prestige, title- that’s where you’ll realize what truly matters. Work should be treated as a means and not an end. So don’t lose your values until the moment you’ve realised that you are already losing yourself,” he added.

Another career lesson he wished he learned earlier was to avoid aiming for fame but for longevity. To him, career sustainability and slow yet steady progress are more valuable rather than trying to compare himself to others and constantly trying to surpass them.

“I have to admit that I was on “team fame” early on in my career because I had a toxic habit of comparing myself to others. But as I journey on in my career I learned to develop my self-esteem and started to believe more in myself.”

Moving forward

Opao has achieved great feats as a communications and media professional throughout his career, but for him, there’s more for him to do to fulfill his purpose. One of these is to channel all of his learnings to the younger generation aiming to achieve greater heights in the industry.

To this, he said, “After accumulating years of experience in media advertising (and counting), I like to progressively channel those learnings to younger folks who wish to be in the industry and to companies who need advice in capitalizing digital media to grow their businesses-either as a corporate mentor, a consultant, or in the academe.”

“No regrets!” Twelve years later, this is what Opao can say looking back on his first overseas move to Singapore in 2011 to today, which, according to him, was the best decision he had ever made.

This piece is published under MARKETECH APAC’s content series ‘Milestones’, which celebrates the different milestones and achievements of industry leaders across the Asia-Pacific region. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.

Singapore – Global business transformation agency Valtech has announced significant additions to its leadership team in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North Africa (APMENA) region to drive growth, with Ralf Zink as the new chief operating officer and Shannon Dix as managing director for Southeast Asia and China.

The new additions to the leadership team are expected to strengthen the agency’s value proposition and growth ambitions as it continues to be a strategic business transformation partner to new and existing clients, like L’Oréal, Audi, Capital Land, and Mars.

The new hires will further aid Valtech in delivering its commitment to helping clients connect with their customers and generate value through technology and innovation, guiding them as they undergo a digital transformation journey. They will drive growth for both Valtech and its clients as they take advantage of the digital acceleration in the region.

In his new role as chief operating officer for APMENA, Zink is tasked with integrating and optimising operations across Valtech’s offices in the region. He will couple human-centric leadership with sustainable operational ecosystems to manage and build accountability, transparency, and collaboration across high-performing teams.

Previously serving as a COO for Publicis Sapient, Zink brings with him more than 15 years of experience as a commercially driven senior operations executive. He has a well-established history of successfully developing and implementing profitable growth strategies, having driven strategic market expansion for digital transformation organisations in the APAC region.

He will be vital in supporting the agency’s ambitions to scale capabilities and align with clients’ needs, giving clients access to the best people, consulting, technology, and experience expertise in the region.

Meanwhile, Dix, in his new role as managing director for SEA and China, will focus on expanding the agency’s client roster, capabilities, and talent in his assigned regions. He lends his growth-oriented leadership to ensure the agency continues to operate at the forefront of innovation as it continues to help brands keep pace with changing consumer needs in APAC’s fast-moving digital-first mobile economy.

He will also leverage business growth and talent to elevate Valtech’s position as the go-to business partner across Asia, which enables brands to realise their digital transformation ambitions, deliver customer-centric experiences, and navigate the region’s increasing adoption of digital technologies.

Dix has over 20 years’ experience within marketing transformation and has held various global and regional leadership roles both on the agency, consulting, and client sides. He has worked for Accenture, Publicis Sapient, and Wunderman, all of which are in the Asian market.

Zink and Dix’s appointment follows the opening of Valtech’s Thailand office and the hire of Patrick de Moustier as EVP and regional managing director for APMENA.

On the new hires, Patrick de Moustier said, “When you look at Valtech’s work globally and in the region, we have a strong foundation to build upon—thanks to our client work, partnerships, and in-house industry expertise.”

He added, “We’re embarking on a bold mission to unite the dynamic superregions of APAC and MENA, recognising their immense potential for economic growth and business success. The strategic move to fortify our leadership team is a clear reflection of our commitment. With the addition of Shannon and Ralf, we’re in a great position to deliver exceptional value to clients.”

In his new role, Zink said, “Valtech is a powerhouse in people-centred digital transformation, so I’m incredibly excited to begin my journey with the agency. People and culture create the perfect recipe for driving growth and client value when undergoing a digital transformation. I see huge potential in fostering our unique culture and cultivating enhanced skill sets to unlock business opportunities for Valtech in APMENA.” 

Also speaking in his appointment, Dix shared, “APAC is a strategic growth market for us, presenting an amazing opportunity for our business to evolve alongside our ambitious clients who are all experiencing a need to adapt to changing market conditions.”

“Our work speaks for itself. Whether it’s our multi-market work for L’Oreal, our connected mobility experience work for Audi, or our commerce tech for Mars, we help businesses overcome their transformation challenges and set themselves up for success now and into the future. I couldn’t be more excited to lead the next wave of growth alongside our incredible team,” he added.

Sydney, Australia – Brand and digital studio Koto has announced the appointment of Melissa Baillache as executive creative director for APAC to expand the studio’s presence in key regional markets.

In her new appointment, Baillache will be based at the Sydney studio and will spearhead Koto APAC’s creative efforts, working closely with Damian Borchok, Koto APAC managing director, and Gerald Torto, senior strategy director, as integral members of the studio’s senior leadership team.

Baillache brings with her over 15 years of experience with branding, digital, and advertising, allowing her to focus on turning challenges into transformative solutions that prioritise human experiences. She has a firm belief in a design’s capacity to challenge conventional thinking and drive meaningful change.

Prior to her appointment, she had several collaborations with a wide range of domestic and international clients, such as Culture Amp, Macau Grand Prix Museum, the NSW Government, and the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre. Some of her recent and notable clients are Netflix, Tech Central, Sydney Film Festival, Blue Mountains Council, and The U Group.

Her work encompasses the creation of new brands, the design of immersive physical experiences, and the reimagining of products. She has garnered various recognitions from international award bodies and is committed to design education, serving as a mentor and guest lecturer for D&AD New Blood, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of creatives.

Baillache also reunites with Damian Borchock, with whom she had a successful eight-year collaboration when she formerly served as executive creative director at For The People.

Koto’s appointment of Baillache comes as the studio aims to expand its presence in key regional markets, including Australia, India, Singapore, and South Korea.

Speaking of the new hire, Damian Borchok said, “It’s great to be working with Mel again. We both see so much potential to build on Koto’s reputation for collaborating with startups and scaleups looking for breakthrough success. APAC is home to some of the most dynamic economies in the world. We’re keen to be part of making it equally one of the most dynamic regions for brands. ”

Also commenting on her new role, Baillache shared, “Koto is that rare type of business that chooses to lean all the way into an optimistic and creative culture to create brands that better serve both clients and the people they exist for. And the work is world-class. So, the opportunity to build on their already impressive track record with a distinctive APAC flavour is a very compelling one, if you ask me. One impossible to say no to. I couldn’t be more excited to join Koto in this new chapter, partnering with the brilliant leadership team of Damian and G.”

Manila, Philippines – Global content and commerce company Gushcloud has appointed Joseph Max Webb as its head of business development in the Philippines, as well as its de facto local leader of the local operations for the company.

In his capacity, Webb will oversee brand deals, integrated marketing campaigns, social media, and account management.

He has recently sealed and launched a campaign with local pharmaceutical company Unilab, most notably the Tuseran “Beat the Pro” web series featuring comedy icon Ruffa Mae Quinto. He also led Spotify Philippines’s recent musical activation in collaboration with Spotify and global KPop girl group NewJeans.

Prior to his appointment, Webb served as Gushcloud’s global business development manager for two years. During his time, he won the agency pitch for Tencent, a multinational technology, entertainment, and holding company based in China. 

He also brokered a partnership with Hip Hop icon and legend Snoop Dogg with Novelship, Singapore’s leading sneaker marketplace. Furthermore, he locked in Korean online fashion platform MUSINSA which tapped Gushcloud as a digital partner in Southeast Asia.

Speaking on his new role, Webb said, “This is an immense responsibility but I am prepared to take it on. I’m grateful for the support I get from my team and our regional colleagues, and the trust of our new and long-term clients. This is only the start of bigger milestones for Gushcloud Philippines.”

Meanwhile, Oddie Randa, regional director for Asia-Pacific at Gushcloud, commented, “We are eager to finally introduce Max as our new leader in Gushcloud Philippines. We know that his youthful energy, dynamic work ethics, and network will turn things around for our Manila office.”

He added, “Of course, he can expect our commitment, support, and guidance to ensure that the Philippines is always in sync with the rest of the region, so we can truly make Gushcloud not just a regional but also a global leader in content, commerce, and entertainment.”

Lastly, Gay Carr, chief people pfficer at Gushcloud International, said, “I am absolutely certain that Max will excel in his leadership post. He possesses the crucial integrity of character required for the role, coupled with high competence, a strong drive for performance, and a natural ability to connect with others while genuinely caring for their wellbeing. His primary focus is not on self-promotion, but rather on enhancing the team’s performance for the greater good of the organisation.”

Australia – Alan Joyce, the current chief executive officer of Qantas has announced that he is stepping down from his role fom the company. This comes after the Australian flag carrier came under pressure from legal proceedings made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) over its alleged misleading advertising of tickets.

According to a press statement from Qantas, Joyce will be replaced by Vanessa Hudson, who now takes the role of managing director and group CEO for the airline. This takes effect on September 6 this year.

In a statement by Joyce, he said that the focus on Qantas and events of the past make it clear to him that the company needs to move ahead with its renewal as a priority.

“The best thing I can do under these circumstances is to bring forward my retirement and hand over to Vanessa and the new management team now, knowing they will do an excellent job,” he said.

He added, “There is a lot I am proud of over my 22 years at Qantas, including the past 15 years as CEO. There have been many ups and downs, and there is clearly much work still to be done, especially to make sure we always deliver for our customers. But I leave knowing that the company is fundamentally strong and has a bright future.”

Meanwhile, Richard Goyder, chairman at Qantas, commented, “Alan has always had the best interests of Qantas front and centre, and today shows that. On behalf of the Board, we sincerely thank him for his leadership through some enormous challenges and for thinking well-ahead on opportunities like ultra long-haul travel.”

He added, “This transition comes at what is obviously a challenging time for Qantas and its people. We have an important job to do in restoring the public’s confidence in the kind of company we are, and that’s what the Board is focused on, and what the management under Vanessa’s leadership will do.”

Last week, the ACCC filed an action against Qantas at the Federal Court of Australia over the airline’s misleading conduct of advertising tickets for more than 8,000 flights that it had already cancelled but not removed from sale.

According to the commission, Qantas kept selling tickets on its website for an average of more than two weeks, and in some cases for up to 47 days, after the cancellation of the flights.

It also alleges that for about 70% of cancelled flights, Qantas either continued to sell tickets for the flight on its website for two days or more, or delayed informing existing ticketholders that their flight was cancelled for two days or more, or both.

Speaking on their investigation, ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlie said, “We allege that Qantas’ conduct in continuing to sell tickets to cancelled flights, and not updating ticketholders about cancelled flights, left customers with less time to make alternative arrangements and may have led to them paying higher prices to fly at a particular time not knowing that flight had already been cancelled.”

In response, Qantas previously said that during the ACCC conducted the investigation, it was a time of unprecedented upheaval for the entire airline industry, and that they have always practiced a longstanding approach to managing cancellations for flights, with a focus on providing customers with rebooking options or refunds.

“All airlines were experiencing well-publicised issues from a very challenging restart, with ongoing border uncertainty, industry wide staff shortages and fleet availability causing a lot of disruption,” the company said back then.

Manila, Philippines – Ayala Land has welcomed Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy as its new chief executive officer, the first female leader to hold such position in the company. She replaces Bernard Vincent O. Dy, who retires from the company after 26 years in the company — nine of which dedicated as the company’s president and CEO.

In a letter sent to employees by Ayala Land Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, he expressed his trust and high confidence in the company’s newly appointed chief.

“Meean’s extensive experience encompasses pivotal leadership roles within the Strategic Landbank Management Group. She played a key role in launching critical projects in our portfolio, such as BGC, Nuvali, Vertis, and Arca South. Her journey continued as she led the Residential Business Group and, more recently, assumed leadership over the Malls, Offices, and the Hotels and Resorts Group,” he said.

Zobel added, “With Meean at the helm, I am confident that Ayala Land will continue to have meaningful impact in all the lives and communities we touch.”

As Ayala practices deliberate and effective succession planning across its business units, next-generation leaders are given exposure to the entire Ayala ecosystem. Upon her appointment as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the company, Meean had since been included in the regular meetings of the Ayala Group Management Committee and involved in key decisions concerning the entire ecosystem.

Zobel also expressed his gratitude to Bobby for the service he has dones, saying, “During the pandemic years, Bobby guaranteed the health and safety of our employees, and supported our merchants, suppliers and the local communities we operated in. He was at the forefront of our sustainability initiatives as he boldly implemented a 5-year plan to achieve carbon neutrality for our commercial properties, which we achieved 1 year ahead of the target.”

Singapore – Global advertising agency Havas has announced the promotion of Darrell Nelson as the CEO of Havas Japan, and Aga Giedroyc as the CEO of Havas Thailand, taking over former Havas Thailand CEO, Santiphong Pimolsaengsuriya.

These appointments follow Havas’ recent leadership appointments in Malaysia and Cambodia, moving towards its growth plan in the involved regions.

In his new role, Nelson will collaborate closely with his teams to drive new business and local client strategies, focusing on leveraging Havas’ integrated capabilities for growth. He will also continue to serve as the APAC head of cultural strategy.

Meanwhile, Giedroyc is now tasked with leading Havas Thailand’s business operations and implementing comprehensive plans for growth. Her experience with Havas has played a crucial role in catalyzing the agency’s transformation, forging trusted relationships with clients, and spearheading digital capabilities across the network. She will also be continuing her current role as the EVP of corporate development for Havas SEA, Japan, and Korea. 

Speaking on his appointment, Nelson said, “I am thrilled to take on the leadership role and contribute to Havas’ ongoing expansion in Japan. I feel incredibly fortunate to already have an amazing and diverse team in place, dedicated to driving impactful and creative work for a great roster of clients here in Japan.”

“Our integrated Village model, which seamlessly combines creative and media efforts while collaborating with our Vivendi partners, continues to be the driving force for growth. As we continue to expand with new offerings in market, we are in a great place to continue the momentum we have in Japan and across the region right now”, he added. 

Also sharing her thoughts on her promotion, Giedroyc mentioned, I am eagerly anticipating this journey, where I’ll work alongside a remarkable team to infuse Thailand’s unique creativity into Havas’ ethos, ensuring we continue to shape meaningful brands that truly matter through a synergy of creativity, media, and entertainment.”

Meanwhile, Alberto Canteli, CEO/chairman Havas, Nordics, CEE & Middle East, SEA, Korea & Japan, commented, “The new leadership structure aims to accelerate the development of the collaborative Village model and strengthen our position in the crucial Southeast Asian and North Asian markets. Darrell has consistently demonstrated his commercial acumen and ability to grow our business in Japan. Aga’s proven ability to build and enhance capabilities in the region will augment our value proposition in Thailand and reinforce our commitment to creative excellence and smart media accountability for growth and momentum.”

Hong Kong – TBWA\Hong Kong has announced key role elevations across its team. They include executive creative director Jerome Ooi as chief creative experience officer; business director Jan Lee as general manager; head of digital Anne Chan as head of growth and product; managing director Jan Cho as global head of product and delivery.

Under the leadership of Jan and the management team, TBWA\Hong Kong has been an innovation beacon across the global collective, successfully reshaping its capabilities from communications to brand experience through to innovation product offerings including the design and experience offering DxD, in-house film content studio BOLT, business consulting service Disruption® Consulting and more recently PLEX, a global product with a B2B focus.

Joanne Lao, chief executive officer, TBWA\Greater China: “It’s with great pride we’re in a position to announce the elevation of key members of our Hong Kong team who have been instrumental in driving the strategy to reshape our Hong Kong operation to create impact for our clients’ businesses, securing them a greater share of the future.”

She added, “The growth of our people has a direct correlation with the growth and success of our agency. The elevation of these roles reflects our determination to lead in creative brand experience, backed by a strong team with an unwavering commitment to innovation that delivers unique solutions for clients. These are well-deserved promotions with a highly talented team who have a strong and proven track record.”

Meanwhile, Sean Donovan, president at TBWA\Asia, commented, “It’s incredibly rewarding to witness not only the growth and adaptability of our Hong Kong operation, but the growth of our people who have been imperative in shaping our agency for the future by embracing and thriving through the disruptive challenges of the last few years.