Move and win roundup: Week of November 20, 2023

• Melita Teo, currently chief customer and digital Officer at AIA Singapore, will assume the role of chief executive officer designate at AIA Philippines with effect from 1 December 2023. In her most recent role as chief customer and digital Officer, Teo was instrumental in strengthening the Customer, Brand, Health, and Wellness propositions of AIA Singapore. Under her leadership, the enterprise-wide analytics capabilities and usage were enhanced, and the delivery of an integrated digital experience across customers and distribution were accelerated.
   
• Irma Hadikusuma, currently the chief product proposition officer at AIA Singapore, will be appointed as chief marketing and proposition officer of AIA Singapore with effect from 1 December 2023. Under Hadikusuma's leadership and in her new role, the integrated Marketing and Proposition function will continue to propel AIA Singapore’s customer-focused agenda.
   
• Peter Lee will assume the role of AIA Singapore’s chief technology officer with effect from 20 November 2023. As AIA Singapore’s newly appointed CTO, Lee will be responsible for developing and implementing world-class, cutting-edge technology strategies to realise AIA Singapore’s vision and business priorities as a leading life insurer.

Havas Market, the e-commerce offering of Havas Media Network, has appointed Shermaine Lau as its new head for Singapore. In her previous role as director of digital insights and innovation at ADA, Lau spearheaded the development of the Digital Shelf, a proprietary e-commerce analytics solution empowering brands to optimise their online presence and gain competitive advantage in the modern marketplace. Under Lau’s leadership, Havas Market will enhance its focus on delivering meaningful shopping experiences for brands, emphasising end-to-end, omnichannel solutions.  

Emily Xu takes on a new role as managing partner at Influence Matters, with a focus on overseeing and developing the agency’s growing cross-border corporate communications business for international companies in China, and Chinese companies expanding in Asia. 

Future Super has appointed data, creative and performance marketing agency Jaywing to lead its paid media and drive new members to the ethical superannuation fund. Jaywing will oversee Future Super’s Google and Meta paid media strategy and execution. Future Super was founded to help people take climate action. The ethical fund invests in a fossil fuel free future and invests in climate solutions.

The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur has announced the appointment of Philipp Haupenthal as the new general manager. Most recently, Haupenthal served as the hotel manager at W Bali. In his new role, he will be tasked to position The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur as the benchmark for luxury hotels in Malaysia. 

Gurpreet Singh, managing director and trading head for Asia-Pacific at Magna Global (IPG Mediabrands) has departed from his role for personal reasons. Singh, who had been with the company for over 11 years, was based in Kuala Lumpur. His role focused on media buying productivity, performance accountability, trading commerce, regional trading deals and programmatic trading partnerships for clients across the region. His immediate responsibilities will be assumed by Paul Waller, the newly-appointed chief investment officer for Magna APAC.

Seek has appointed Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim as its newly elected non-executive director at the company’s annual general meeting. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri Jamaludin is the first Asia-based board member in Seek's history, aligning with the pivotal role Asia plays in the company’s future growth strategy. Jamaludin has over 40 years of experience in the Southeast Asia region, including over 16 years in information technology and 23 years in telecommunications. He also served the Malaysian government in various roles, including being appointed in 2020 by the former prime minister of Malaysia as a member of the then Economic Action Council and of the Digital Economy Council. Jamaludin’s executive experience includes being the chief executive officer of Axiata Group Berhad from 2008 to 2020, and CEO of Maxis Communications Berhad for over eight years prior to that. He also has executive experience with multinational companies, including IBM and Digital Equipment Corporation. 

Boody, a sustainably-made apparel brand in Australia, has appointed Sling & Stone as the PR agency of record, to amplify brand trust and authority in an increasingly competitive sector. Working closely with joint CEOs Elliot Midalia and Shaun Greenblo, Sling & Stone has activated a cross-channel campaign that will drive sector leadership; showcasing their personal expertise and passions and how that supports a highly successful Aussie business rooted in innovation, adaptability and profitability. “Sling & Stone’s proven track record in brand profiling and storytelling, and evident passion for conscientious brands that challenge the status quo, make them the perfect choice to help shape our corporate voice in Australia and beyond. Their reputation as the go-to agency for brands committed to innovation in all its forms is certainly well-founded.” said Ruth Haffenden, global head of Brand and Marketing for Boody.

Stefan Martyres has launched Social Aviator, a new influencer marketing agency in India focused on offering strategic solutions to brands. Prior to his new entrepreneurial venture, Martyres spent over eight years at Times Internet, where he built the influencer marketing team from scratch, and delivered several campaigns for leading brands. With 13 years of experience in the field of sports, media and entertainment, Martyres has spent over a decade honing his skills and making a impact on the way brands engage with their audiences. His career journey includes roles in key organisations like Star Sports, Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), amongst others.