Vietnam – Advertising and marketing agency network dentsu in Asia Pacific has announced the promotion of Siddarth Malhotra to CEO of Isobar, dentsu’s digital experience agency, in Vietnam. This is in addition to his current role as managing director of dentsu mcgarrybowen, one of the network’s creative agencies, in Vietnam.
In the expanded role, Malhotra will be responsible for evolving the brand’s offerings, building offerings around commerce and content, brand and product design as well as establishing a network of different specialist partners.
Malhotra brings with him over 20 years of work experience – of which 12 years were spent specialising in the Vietnam market. He joined dentsu in 2018 as chief client officer and the network said that for the last three consecutive years, he has successfully led his team to win at the MMA Smarties awards at both the APAC and Vietnam level.
“Isobar Vietnam has one of the best agency teams and together with this excellent team I look forward to expand our capabilities and that can benefit our current and future clients,” commented Malhotra.
As Malhotra steps in, former CEO of Isobar Vietnam, Denise Thi, will now be moving into the chair lady role to focus on employee engagement and in strengthening client relationships and developing innovative solutions. The network said Malhotra and Thi will be working closely together, where both will be responsible for realising the agency’s vision. Both report directly to Sanjay Bhasin, CEO of dentsu Thailand, Vietnam & Myanmar.
Bhasin said, “Denise has given us nothing but her full dedication and sheer commitment since she joined dentsu eight years ago. She is a remarkable leader who has spearheaded Isobar Vietnam into one of the market’s leading creative agencies, and has made headlines in the industry creating innovative concepts for brand activation.”
In 2015, Thi co-founded Emerald, which was acquired and rebranded to Isobar Vietnam by dentsu in 2015. During her time as CEO of Isobar Vietnam, the brand has grown from a local digital agency to an end-to-end integrated marketing agency, being the first in the market to introduce brand commerce concept and solution design through digital activation in 2015.
Thi comments on her new role, “Being the Chair Lady would allow me to have greater focus on what really builds sustainable impact to our people and business, while ensuring that the agency [has] strong support from Siddarth, the new CEO to take Isobar Vietnam to the next chapter of growth.”
Meanwhile, on Malhotra’s appointment, Bhasin believes that Malhotra brings with him not only strong business acumen but also a strategic mind of dexterity and stamina.
“He has a deep understanding of how brands are built and [have] earned a reputation across the network as the best partner to help steer Isobar Vietnam and our clients to greater heights. This is a well-deserved promotion for Siddarth,” said Bhasin.
Both new roles of Malhotra and Thi will commence effective immediately.