Move and win roundup: Week of January 8, 2018

The former editor of Bloomberg's Asian finance team, Darren Boey, has joined Hong Kong-based blockchain and gaming technology firm Bitgame Labs Inc. as the company's first corporate communications officer, reporting to CEO Jiten Melwani. 

ASICS has appointed Inamoto & Co as an 'innovation partner' it looks to develop from being a straightforward sporting footwear and apparel company to offering 'fitness as a service'. The Japanese brand worked with Inamoto & Co last year on a project basis. The first work under the new partnership will be a data-driven initiative in London using Runkeeper, an app ASICS acquired in 2016.

Facebook has appointed Fei Yu as head of Taiwan and Hong Kong. Part of her role will be to spearhead strategic relationships with global brands, agencies and partners for Facebook’s advertising platform. Yu was most recently Facebook’s head of Travel and Finance for the Greater China region.  Prior to Facebook, Yu served Google for eight years, most recently as deputy GM of Google Taiwan.

Unilever promoted Ali Khan to global head of expansion for T2 Tea in Singapore. This is his eighth promotion since joining the company in 2005.

IPG Mediabrands appointed Mahesh Reddy Voncha as group head for reprise performance marketing in Malaysia.

Fox Networks Group Asia has appointed John Kotsaftis as executive vice president of FNGA’s digital streaming service and OTT platform, FOX+. Kotsaftis, previously CEO of DStv Digital Media, will oversee the growth and development of all Fox subscription digital products including FOX+, Fox Sports Play and the Nat Geo app.

Insitor Management appointed Hammad Umer as country head in Pakistan.

McCann Health has appointed Marcus Sigurdsson to the new position of global chief digital officer effective immediately. Sigurdsson has been regional chief digital officer for McCann Health in Asia Pacific since 2016 where he worked with pharma, telco and technology companies on new marketing models. He will continue to be based in Hong Kong. McCann Health says this move signals a heightened focus on digital innovation and data & analytics capabilities.

TBWA Hong Kong promoted Jan Cho from general manager to managing director, effective immediately. He will continue to head Digital Arts Network Hong Kong in addition to his MD role. He has been with the agency since 2003.

Edelman appointed Annouchka Behrmann as head of brand for Hong Kong, effective immediately and reporting to Hong Kong MD Adrian Warr. Behrmann was most recently managing director at MHP Communications in London and has worked in PR and advertising agencies including Hill + Knowlton Strategies, DDB and Nelson Bostock.

FleishmanHillard made new appointments in its China practice following the retirement of former chairman and president Li Hong. Lichi Hsueh, currently Shanghai head, was promoted to COO of Fleishman China, and Yisi Liu, currently Shanghai deputy general manager, was promoted to general manager. 

Cycle & Carriage Kia, the authorised distributor of Kia Motors in Singapore, appointed Havas Singapore as its creative agency-of-record after a pitch that involved three other agencies. Havas will manage creative, digital and integrated communications, develop a brand strategy and develop a strategy for product launch and retail communications.

Reckitt Benckiser promoted Sidra Ali to the role of senior brand manager for Veet.

Ruder Finn announced that it is promoting Jean-Michel Dumont, currently Asia chairman, to a global, Europe-based role as head of international strategy and promoting Elan Shou, currently managing director for Greater China, to Asia regional director. (Read more)

Imagination promoted Lee Wateridge from operations director to general manager, China, and promoted prior China GM Alistair Wilson to lead its global Ford Motor Company account from Detroit. Wateridge has been with Imagination for more than 20 years in a variety of senior roles including global production and operations director for Shell, working across Europe, USA and Asia. In addition, Imagination China promoted Julien Dupuis to business director for connected experiences and Todd Bokin to business director responsible for automotive and emerging opportunities.

Keywordtool.io appointed Khai Yong Ng as head of growth in Malaysia.

Roland Berger appointed Samar Imtiaz as head of marketing in the Middle East.

MullenLowe Group announced the creation of MullenLowe Group Greater Mekong, and appointed Neil Holt as its CEO. The new entity, which joins similar structures recently set up in China and Japan, will deliver a "hyperbundled" creative, digital and activation offering across Thailand and Vietnam, the company said. Holt will be based in Bangkok and report to Vincent Digonnet, APAC CEO of MullenLowe Group. Holt was most recently with Unbound Group in Australia, a communications agency and creative tech company that specialises in new and emerging platforms including VR and AR. He has 30 years of experience in marketing, including senior roles with Euro RSCG Bangkok, RAPP Thailand and RAPP/ Tribal Worldwide Beijing.

Singapore Cruise Centre appointed Kingsmen Ooh-media as its exclusive out-of-home media and advertising agency with effect from 1 February. The contract will cover media and advertising at SCC’s terminals at HarbourFront, Tanah Merah and Pasir Panjang.

Financial communications consulting firm Cognito opened a Hong Kong office and appointed Dan Bradley to lead it. Bradley joined the company in early 2017 with more than 12 years of in-house and agency experience, most recently as PR Director at Thomson Reuters.