Tag: PHD

Singapore – Omnicom Media Group agency PHD has appointed Kiron Kesav as chief strategy officer, APAC. In his role, Kesav will lead strategic planning, business growth, innovation, and digital transformation, powered by the Omni open operating system.

With over 15 years of industry experience, Kesav was most recently OMG Malaysia’s Chief Strategy Officer, during which he led several successful multi-market and local pitches including OPPO, Warner Bros. Discovery, CelcomDigi, and Dutch Lady. 

Kesav also championed AI adoption across the agency and elevated OMG Malaysia’s reputation as an industry thought leader through several initiatives, including conceptualising the flagship ‘Future Play’ event.

Before taking on the group role, Kesav spent three years with PHD Malaysia as GM, Strategy and Platforms, driving strategy and the use of new technology platforms, and scaling the adoption of Omni in the market. 

As a result, PHD Malaysia was among the top 10 markets globally in terms of Omni Studio usage. Additionally, Kesav was instrumental in conceptualising and designing key strategy products, including the Digital Efficacy Monitoring Framework, PHD Pulse, and OMG OOH Priority Radar.

He reports into PHD APAC CEO Eileen Ooi, effectively immediately. Together with PHD’s regional leadership team, Kesav will drive better business outcomes for clients by leveraging intelligence that connects businesses to the next generation of consumers.

Speaking on his new role, Kiron said, “PHD APAC boasts of some of the sharpest strategic minds in the industry and for me, it is a fantastic feeling to once again to don the PHD colours and work alongside them. I see our strategy teams across markets being the force multipliers in our journey to make our new proposition – Intelligence. Connected. – meaningful in APAC while capitalising on the immense potential of OMG’s capabilities. I am excited to partner with our global and regional teams to deliver transformative growth for our people and our clients with a focus on bringing clarity in complexity.”

Kesav will continue as OMG Malaysia’s chief strategy officer in the interim while a search for his successor is underway, ensuring a seamless transition and sustained momentum. 

Meanwhile, Ooi commented, “Kiron is a seasoned strategy expert who is skilled in navigating the complexities of brand building. Having worked with him during my time at PHD and OMG in Malaysia, I recognised Kiron’s knack for insightful analysis and creative problem-solving that successfully brought clients’ visions to life. His ability to unlock growth opportunities while leveraging OMG’s Agency as a Platform proposition to create inspiring executions will help our clients outthink, outpace, and outgrow their competition, making him a valuable asset to PHD APAC.”

New Zealand – Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has named PHD New Zealand CEO Nikki Grafton to the newly established role of CEO of OMG New Zealand, marking the first time that OMG’s New Zealand operations will have executive oversight as a stand-alone market, rather than under a combined ANZ leadership team.

As CEO, Grafton will lead the ongoing expansion and evolution of OMG’s future-ready business model, ensuring OMG’s New Zealand agencies OMD, PHD and Hearts & Science have the talent, tools and technology needed to drive brand growth in a robust marketplace, and tap into the dynamic opportunities available in a rapidly evolving landscape. 

In her new role, Nikki will be supported by Nigel Douglas, CEO of OMD New Zealand, and Jane Stanley, CEO of Hearts & Science, ANZ. Nikki will report to OMG APAC CEO Tony Harradine, effective immediately.

During her two decades with PHD New Zealand, Grafton played a key role in establishing PHD’s reputation for building strong client relationships, fueled by innovation and measurable brand growth. 

Meanwhile, PHD New Zealand Managing Director Abby Parkin will be elevated to CEO of PHD New Zealand, effective 1 March, working closely with Grafton to ensure a smooth transition. As MD, Parkin delivered market-leading communications solutions for clients while nurturing PHD’s talent. 

She also worked together with the leadership team to evolve PHD’s products and services to meet the industry’s evolving needs. As CEO, Parkin’s primary goal is to ensure that PHD New Zealand consistently delivers innovative and future-proofed solutions to drive results for clients and the business.

Commenting on her new role, Grafton said, “OMG has a solid bench of innovative thinkers who are passionate about unlocking new possibilities and delivering incredible work for our clients. This is an exciting time for OMG in New Zealand and I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to drive innovation, deepen partnerships and create meaningful impact in the market.

Meanwhile, Harradine commented, “As one of OMG’s epicentres of growth in Asia Pacific, New Zealand represents a crucial market for our continued progress in the region. A tenacious leader, Nikki understands what makes consumers tick and is adept at translating clients’ ambitions into tangible results. The close-knit client relationships she has forged signify brand confidence in OMG’s Agency as a Platform proposition and our talent, making Nikki a key pillar in delivering competitive advantage for our clients and the business in New Zealand.”

Singapore – Omnicom Media Group agency PHD today announced the appointment of Eileen Ooi as CEO for Asia-Pacific. With over 19 years of industry experience, Ooi was most recently CEO at OMG Malaysia. Prior to that, she spent four years with PHD Malaysia as its managing director. 

In her new role, Ooi will lead PHD business operations across APAC and work with clients from many of the world’s most well-known and successful brands, including Volkswagen Group, CHANEL, Diageo and Singapore Airlines. Ooi will report directly to Tony Harradine, CEO, Omnicom Media Group, APAC, and Guy Marks, CEO, PHD Worldwide.

With Ooi’s successor expected to be named in Q4, she will continue to oversee OMG Malaysia as CEO in the interim, ensuring a seamless transition and sustained momentum.  

An avid advocate of talent development, Ooi actively contributes to the broader advertising industry by participating in local and regional speaking engagements. Additionally, Ooi was recently re-elected as President for the Malaysian Digital Association (MDA).

Tony Harradine, CEO at OMG Asia Pacific, said, “Eileen has a unique ability to identify strategic opportunities and effectively converting them into tangible results. Under her visionary leadership, OMG Malaysia has undergone a remarkable transformation, achieving significant business growth, with client and employee confidence at an all-time high.”

He added, “With her cumulative experience as well as her understanding of the business needs at PHD and at the group-level, Eileen will successfully steer PHD Asia Pacific towards a new era of growth.”

Meanwhile, Guy Marks, CEO at PHD Worldwide, commented, “PHD promises our clients that we will help them outthink, outpace and outgrow the market. With her record of driving growth for her clients and her agency alike, Eileen is the ideal choice to ensure that PHD APAC delivers on that ambition.”

He added, “She’s a practitioner with an eye for detail, she moves at pace and is a fierce collaborator – all things that will make her a great partner to our clients in Asia Pacific. I am excited to work with Eileen to make PHD’s new proposition, “Intelligence. Connected.” a reality in the region, delivering a competitive advantage for our people and our clients.

This appointment underscores OMG’s commitment to promote from within the organisation. It is also a testament of Ooi’s stellar track record for building businesses that are powered by strong client relationships and an unwavering commitment to drive growth and innovation. 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Omnicom Media Group (OMG) agency PHD has won the OPPO media business in several Asian markets, specifically Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Bangladesh – following a competitive pitch.

Effective April 1, PHD’s appointment covers OPPO’s online and offline media planning, as well as its strategy and thought leadership processes.

These duties will then be managed out of Malaysia, which is OPPO’s APAC hub, and includes working with the OPPO HQ team in China and other OMG offices to roll out various initiatives and strategies for global markets.

Talking about the appointment, David Soo, managing director, PHD Malaysia, said, “We are proud to have won the OPPO business and this marks a great opportunity for us to work on a leading global technology brand that mirrors PHD’s pursuit of innovation, excellence, and creating work that delights consumers. A crucial part of the win stemmed from the team’s thorough response to the brief as well as the chemistry internally and with the client teams at all levels.”

“Given the broad remit, the win is a huge step up for the team, elevating their exposure and further boosting PHD Malaysia’s quality and ability to take on similar roles in the future,” he added.

Meanwhile, Elly Huang, head of media at OPPO, commented, “We commend PHD Malaysia for their exceptional track record, expertise, and passion for innovation. We are excited to embark on this journey together and push the boundaries of what is possible in this dynamic industry.”

It is also worth noting that this appointment comes shortly after PHD won the OPPO media business in India.

Shanghai, China – Omnicom Media Group (OMG) agency PHD China has retained the SAIC Volkswagen media business following a month-long public tender, which also saw local and international 4A agencies vying for the account, which included the Volkswagen and Audi brands.

PHD China has been the media AOR of SAIC Volkswagen since 2020, with the agency continuing to provide media consultancy and planning services, covering media strategy, market insights, data analysis, and media buying for the brand.

Joey Zhao, CEO at PHD China, said, “The decision affirms the successful partnership that PHD and SAIC Volkswagen have built over the past three years, as we have worked together to drive brand growth in an increasingly complex media landscape and consumer marketplace.”

He added, “As SAIC Volkswagen continues to move full throttle into the electric vehicle race, PHD will continue to provide the data-driven insights and innovative solutions that turn marketing complexity into business opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Claudine Kwek, CEO at OMG China, commented, “We are honoured by SAIC Volkswagen’s continued trust in us, and PHD’s challenger mindset and focus on innovation, creativity, and collaboration lends itself to our client’s business ambitions in a dynamic market like China.”

She added, “As we look to drive a more integrated and seamless offering for SAIC Volkswagen, OMG’s Agency as a Platform model, which brings together the various teams across the network’s ecosystem of talent, technology, and capabilities, will be a main force behind this streamlined capability.” 

Hong Kong – Global media agency iProspect Hong Kong has been appointed by KFC, Pizza Hut and PHD, the food brands under Jardine Restaurant Group as their official media partner to spearhead their communication strategies.

The agency’s appointment comes as KFC, Pizza Hut, and PHD continue to stand by their shared objective of strengthening their e-commerce, dine-in, and takeaway businesses. 

The household food brands aim to grow their e-commerce effectively as an answer to the need to transform and evolve with time and current trends. 

iProspect will offer a comprehensive communication strategy that can seamlessly connect top, middle, and lower funnel initiatives to unlock the full potential of media investments and deliver tangible online and offline business results.

With their resources, they are expected to solve the brands’ common challenge of reinforcing connections from upper to lower funnels as a way to optimize media efficiency and ultimately reflect on their return on investment (ROI). 

Wai-Chung Au, managing director of media business at iProspect Hong Kong, said, “We are proud to become the trusted media partner for the three iconic names. We look forward to working with them and achieving their vision effectively.”

Commenting on the appointment, Renee Chan, customer experience and marketing director at Pizza Hut and PHD, also said, “We are excited to work with iProspect Hong Kong. iProspect has demonstrated a strong strategic point of view that helped to realize our vision and business goals, not to mention proactively providing solutions and recommendations that go beyond our scope and helped to innovate and optimize our effectiveness.”

Janet Lau, marketing director at KFC, further shared,  “We are looking forward to working with iProspect Hong Kong to optimize our e-commerce business. In this era of constant change and transformation, we need to tighten up our O2O communication strategy to offer truly seamless experience for consumers constantly. We believe iProspect can offer the solution to us.”

Singapore – Singapore Airlines, the national air carrier of Singapore and the market’s most considered brand, has released its latest global campaign which spotlights the real meaning of world-class. 

In collaboration with agencies TBWA\ and PHD, the latest campaign is presented through the eyes of the airline’s cabin crew who, through travel, encounters people, cultures, and places around the world, reflecting that the airline can bring this kind of exceptional experience to their customers.

Lee Lik Hsin, executive vice president for commercial of Singapore Airlines, said that the airline is committed to giving excellent service, citing that the customer is the ‘heart’ of everything they do. 

Mandy Wong, president of TBWA\ Singapore added, “We needed the new narrative to be futureproof so it could maintain relevancy in the ever evolving travel landscape of consumers’ changing travel motivations. With Welcome to World Class, it wholly captures the Airline’s unparalleled service leadership, and digital experience offerings.”

Other works from the campaign are shared across global and local channels from mainstream broadcast stations to digital and print, and key OOH placements in London, New York, Tokyo, and Singapore. More materials will be released this year such as new innovative media in the pipeline, with key brand assets, and content series starring its cabin crew through an authentic lens.

In 2021, the airline also released a campaign titled ‘Look forward to flying again with Singapore Airlines’, indicating a significant step in its recovery when the borders reopened across the world.

Manila, Philippines – Media and marketing communications agency PHD has appointed Jam de Guzman as its managing director in the Philippines. In his new role, de Guzman will elevate business growth, strengthen network partnerships, and enhance client servicing operations.

With more than two decades of media and advertising experience, de Guzman has previously taken on senior leadership roles in Publicis Media, Dentsu International, and IPG Mediabrands. During his time in the agencies, he has built a reputation for producing innovative capabilities, delivering commercial growth, and driving transformative solutions for clients.

In addition to his industry portfolio, Jam has played a key role in shaping the advertising and communications landscape. Currently, he serves as the President of Media Specialists Association of the Philippines (MSAP) and the Board Secretary of the Ad Standards Council (ASC).

He will be reporting to Mary Buenaventura, CEO of Omnicom Media Group Philippines.

Speaking on the appointment, Buenaventura said, “Jam is a visionary leader with a strong track record of driving transformative growth for clients. His expertise in delivering value across a spectrum of media services and his strategic business sense are assets to our team. I am delighted to welcome Jam to the PHD family, and I am confident that Jam will continue to build on what PHD Philippines has already achieved and move the agency forward in its next era of growth.”

Hong Kong – Media and marketing communications agency PHD has appointed Antony Yiu as its new chief executive officer in Hong Kong, effective immediately. He will lead PHD’s vision, development, operations and talent growth in his new role.

In addition, he will also be responsible for driving digital transformation, addressing data privacy issues and maximising the use of AdTech and MarTech across clients’ businesses. 

With over 20 years of in-depth experience in digital and performance media across the US and APAC, he joins PHD Hong Kong from DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, where he was most recently the senior vice president of digital acquisitions and martech.

He has also a vast background in working with B2B and B2C clients on consumer marketing across various industries, including finance and travel. His experience expands across multifaceted aspects of media, building brands from the ground up and launching new start-up products.

Speaking of his new role, Yiu said, “I am excited to join the PHD family and bring my experience to transform PHD into a next-generation agency. The mission is to lead PHD as an innovative, agile, and result-driven agency, uniting our talents at all levels to deliver thought leadership and award-winning work.” 

He added, “My focus is on driving innovation and business transformation with our clients. Now is the time for PHD to be courageous, be different, and leave our mark in the agency-client ecosystem.”

Meanwhile, James Hawkins, CEO at PHD APAC, commented, “Antony makes the leap over from client to agency, bringing a strong character, a fresh perspective and a bold ambition that will inspire our people and enable growth for our clients. With his diverse skillsets, we are eager to see what the next chapter brings for the Hong Kong office with Antony at the helm.”

Singapore – Media and marketing communications agency PHD has appointed Imogen Bourke as its strategy director for Asia-Pacific, where she will be responsible for the continuous development and elevation of the agency’s strategic product and capability roadmap within the region.

Bourke brings with her a blend of skills honed from 16 years of diverse roles across media, technology, and production organisations and expansive international experience having worked in London, Melbourne, and Beijing.

She was previously the head of strategy for PHD Hong Kong, where she was instrumental in supporting the success and growth of the agency – in new business wins, major account retention, and media creativity.

Bourke will also be guiding teams across the region to produce effective brand experiences that deliver business outcomes and positively inspire people, communities, and culture. In addition, she will also be charged with developing industry-first strategies and challenger thinking propositions to future-proof clients’ businesses and drive sustainable growth.

She will be reporting to James Hawkins, CEO of PHD APAC.

Speaking on her appointment, Bourke said, “I could not be more excited by this opportunity to expand my experience and expertise across the APAC markets. It’s a wonderful gig to work closely with the region’s best strategists and planners to champion and grow PHD’s market-leading product, and continue to cultivate a culture of creativity, innovation and collaboration that delivers unparalleled strategic thinking and solutions for our clients.”

Meanwhile, Hawkins commented, “Imogen’s media and strategic expertise paired with her ability to build high-performing teams will help to elevate PHD’s product offerings and drive business results for clients. I am confident in Imogen’s ability to be the driving force in uncovering marketplace opportunities and lead the best strategic planning team in the region.”