Carter Chow returns to McCann Worldgroup as Greater China CEO

McCann Worldgroup has appointed Carter Chow as the new Greater China chief executive, marking his return to the agency after an eight-year hiatus. A seasoned leader with an intimate understanding of the region, Chow brings over 20 years of experience to the role, having previously served as managing director at McCann Worldgroup's Shanghai office and as CMO for the Greater China region.

His recent roles include China CEO of J. Walter Thompson, China CEO and Greater China CEO for Wunderman Thompson, and president of VML.

Chow's return to McCann Worldgroup is expected to bring stability and vision to the agency during a period of considerable change. His appointment follows a series of notable departures in the leadership team. In April 2024, Shu Wu, managing director of McCann Worldgroup China, departed to return to the client side. Wu had been leading the team since Emily Chang, the former CEO, stepped down in 2023 after nearly three years in the role. Chang returned to the US to lead Wunderman Thompson’s West region.

The leadership exodus continued with the departure of Yinbo Ma, the agency’s chief creative officer, and Amon Jiang, the chief financial officer, who joined Ogilvy. The exits have left McCann Worldgroup China in a state of flux, with no permanent CEO in place since Chang's departure.

Chow expressed his enthusiasm about rejoining the team, saying, "I am thrilled to return to McCann Worldgroup and look forward to driving innovative strategies that will enhance our clients' success in the dynamic Greater China market."

Ghassan Harfouche, the agency's APMENA president, said: “I am delighted that Carter is returning to us to take up the reins of our Greater China operations. Carter brings a unique blend of leadership, strategic vision, and a deep understanding of the Chinese market, with a proven track record of success. This makes him the ideal candidate to lead our operations in one of the most dynamic and important regions globally.”

The McCann Worldgroup network is comprised of McCann, MRM, Craft in Greater China.