Carat APAC promotes Kevin Walsh to managing director

Based in Singapore, Walsh will be responsible for driving and ensuring excellence in client service and product delivery for all clients.

Sean O’Brien, CEO of Carat Asia Pacific, said Walsh has demonstrated “an exceptional level” of commercial acumen and management skills.

“Under his leadership, he helped multiple clients achieve their digital ambition and built a strong digital community within the business, which reinforced the agency’s digital credentials,” O'Brien added. “I look forward to another brilliant chapter of growth with Kevin as part of our leadership team here in Asia Pacific.”

Walsh’s new role will see him working closely with O’Brien in achieving business objectives. O’Brien will continue in his role as CEO “to steer growth and development of the agency and its people in Asia Pacific” with support from Walsh.

Walsh was most recently chief digital officer at Carat Asia Pacific, where he spearheaded integrated and innovative digital solutions that helped clients achieve their business objectives.

Speaking to Campaign Asia-Pacific, Walsh said his focus will be on rolling out specific strategies to reinforce three key pillars: organic growth within existing clients, new business and staff development and training.

Asked about obstacles to overcome to achieve ambitions, he noted that the agency has “great clients and great talent.”

“We’re simply looking to evolve how we engage one with the other, something that makes complete sense as the way our industry continues to adjust,” he added.

Walsh said that he has always been a great believer in big ideas, rooted in consumer insights that are well executed.

“But if there’s one thing I’ve learnt is that you need fantastic client relationships to make this happen,” he added. “It’s these relationships that create an environment for great work to flourish.”

Walsh boasts 20 years of experience in media, of which 15 were focused on digital. Prior to Carat, he held various senior leadership roles including executive media director at NetX in Australia, managing director at Neo@Ogilvy in both Sydney and Melbourne and managing director at iProspect Australia and subsequently, Asia Pacific.

He has worked on brands such as Visa International, MasterCard, Warner Bros, L’Oreal, P&G, IBM, Subaru, Nissan and Frieslandcampina.