Best of 2014: Top 5 moves

Campaign Asia-Pacific is presenting a new top-5 list every day until we send our last daily bulletin of the year on December 19. We've had fun pulling this annual review together, and we hope you'll enjoy it too.

Please follow along as we spotlight the year's highlights and lowlights. And if you think we've screwed up—either by inclusion or omission—please let us hear about it in the comments and/or on Twitter @CampaignAsia using the hashtag #CampaignBestOf2014.

<< See all 2014 year-in-review top-5 lists >>

Without further ado, here are the...

TOP 5 MOVES OF 2014

1 - Jean Lin’s promotion/Isobar

In a rare move that had Asia bursting with pride for her, Isobar promoted Asia-Pacific CEO, Jean Lin in March to head the network globally out of Shanghai and serve as global chief strategy officer for Dentsu Aegis Network. Lin joined Isobar when the network acquired the agency she founded, Wwwins Consulting. In 2009 she was named global chief strategy officer for Isobar and in 2010, head of Asia-Pacific.  

In a move that underscores yet again Fast Retailing’s advanced approach to business and design, the parent company of Uniqlo lured Wieden+Kennedy veteran and legend John C Jay with the newly created post of president of global creative. The two have worked together before, and Tadashi Yanai, Fast Retailing’s chairman, president and chief executive, described the early collaboration as “the beginning of a totally new direction and way of thinking for Uniqlo, especially in terms of innovative and creative communication. Big things are expected from Jay and we think more brands will see value in bringing top creative talent in-house.

3 - Stephanie Bell/Diageo

In November, Stephanie Bell became the second major appointment for Diageo’s marketing department to come from a position in Asia. The beverage giant recruited her as its head of global demand procurement from L’Oréal in Bangkok, where she spent the past four years. Bell follows in the footsteps of James Thompson, who bacame global MD for Diageo Reserve Brands in 2013.

4 - Parry Ravindranathan/Bloomberg

As one of its first steps towards launching its new global expansion and digital strategy plans, Bloomberg Media appointed Parry Ravindranathan its first Asia-Pacific managing director in May. Prior to this appointment, Ravindranathan headed Asia-Pacific at Bloomberg TV. The appointment underscores Bloomberg’s major ambitions for the region, said Bloomberg Media CEO, Justin B. Smith.

5 - Rob Sherlock/ADK

After 12 years with FCB as CCO of Asia and America, Rob Sherlock made waves when he decamped to ADK in May as its first worldwide ECD (press release). The move is also notable as the first sign that the rather conservative Japanese agency has an interest in internationalising. Sherlock has assured us that he’s enjoying it all immensely and that it is in fact considerably easier to work there than everyone thinks.