Euro RSCG installs Juan Rocamora as chairman for Asia-Pacific

Although based in Europe, Rocamora will work closely with Euro RSCG Asia-Pacific CEO Olivier Pluquet to convert global business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to a statement, Asia-Pacific is one of the network's fastest growing regions, as such, Rocamora's appointment is a strong sign of the agency's intention to put increased global resources and focus here.

The appointment is further designed to provide a bridge with the Havas' network's largest European-based global clients who have significant growth objectives in Asia-Pacific while tapping the network's integrated agencies in this region.

Prior to this appointment, Rocamora was CEO of Euro RSCG Southern Europe plus chairman and CEO of Euro RSCG Spain, a position he has since relinquished to coincide with his new role.

Rocamora joined Euro RSCG in 1997 as COO for Euro RSCG Spain, and was promoted to chairman and CEO three months later. Ten months after, he was made CEO for Euro RSCG Southern Europe.

During his tenure, Euro RSCG Spain grew to three times its size, winning major clients including Auchan, BBVA and Vodafone. Under his leadership, the Southern European region has gone from four markets to seven, with strategic acquisitions and start-ups in Turkey, Israel and South Africa, as well as growing by more than 200 per cent.

Prior to Euro RSCG, he spent 16 years with JWT, where he was CEO, JWT Spain, global business director for Unilever personal products, and subsequently executive vice president, JWT Worldwide. He has also served as director on the worldwide board of JWT.

On Rocamora's appointment, Pluquet said many of his network's largest clients have expressed frustration with previous agency models that dictate from New York, London or Paris.

"At Euro RSCG, we understand that Asian markets pose considerably different challenges for brands which may be established leaders in their home markets but have a different status in Asian markets. They often need to reinvent themselves as challenger brands and they are looking for an agency network that can help maximise the opportunities present in this part of the globe," said Pluquet.

He added, "Rather than the old world dictating to the new, the appointment of Juan will help us deliver on our potential to be the network that continuously challenges the established hierarchies in the region."