Publicis Media has promoted Singapore's managing director of Starcom and Spark Foundry, Ian Loon to CEO of Publicis Media Singapore. Loon is replacing Gareth Mulryan, who is leaving Singapore to pursue other opportunities within Publicis Groupe.
A Publicis spokesperson confirmed that Loon will continue in his existing roles at Starcom and Spark. In his new Groupe role, Loon will report to Loris Nold, CEO of Publicis Groupe APAC & MEA, also based in Singapore.
Loon was hired by Starcom in 2009 from Qais Consulting to head up digital operations in Singapore and worked his way up to digital leadership for Southeast Asia. In 2017 Starcom promoted Loon to Singapore managing director, taking over for the departing Patricia Goh. In 2019, Loon was named to Campaign Asia-Pacific's coveted 40 under 40 list.
Nold called Loon's appointment “a well-deserved promotion", describing him as "a progressive digital and media leader with a strong track record in the Singaporean market and beyond when it comes to transforming our relationship with clients."
"I couldn’t think of a better leader to continue the great journey we’ve been on with all the talents at Publicis Media in Singapore," Mulryan said in a release. "We are all very proud of what we’ve built here. I am equally looking forward to my next move within Publicis Groupe.”
Mulryan has spent the last 15 years with Publicis Media agencies, mostly at Zenith where he was managing director of digital before being promoted to Southeast Asia CEO by 2015.
"I am sad to see Gareth leaving Singapore, as he’s done a terrific job over the years but I am really happy to know that he’s moving into a new role within Publicis Groupe,” stated Nold.
Mulryan's next role within Publicis will be "announced in due course," stated the Publicis release.