Stephen Farquhar, MD of Zenith Media UK relocates to Zenith China as MD

As reported by Campaign UK, Farquhar (pictured) will move to China in October. Campaign Asia-Pacific has learned that he will be overseeing the Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou offices, and will report directly to Steven Chang, CEO of ZenithOptimedia Greater China.

Having been with ZenithOptimedia UK for nine years, Farquhar previously held the role of head of strategy, where he led planning development on many successful pitches, including Warner Music, O2, comparethemarket.com, Oxfam and RBS-NatWest. His first stint at Zenith was from 2000 to 2004, when he was business director on the Toyota account.

According to the agency, Farquhar once helped to develop a new method of brand research for Diageo that changed the way the brand planned and bought its media. He also led the creation of what Zenith calls its 'open planning' approach to media planning.

Chang told Campaign Asia-Pacific that Farquhar is Zenith UK's No. 2 guy, and it took a lot of work to convince him to come out to China.

"China needs talent," Chang said. "Stephen has a very strong background in client development with customized strategic planning capability. Along with Zenith's strong stance in China, I believe he can lead this team to further develop the business and to win more endorsement in the media circle.”

Farquhar will fill the vancancy left by Derek Kwok, the former China MD, who resigned at the end of September 2011 after 15 years with the agency. Kwok joined audience network and targeted advertising company Yoyi Media as COO.

As reported in late June, ZenithOptimedia has also promoted Mykim Chikli to the newly created role of China chief operating officer, effective in late May. Chikli has relocated from ZenithOptimedia France as chief innovation officer of ZenithOptimedia China in August 2011. 

One former 4A agency head commented that foreign and joint-venture companies tend to follow a cycle, alternating between western and local executives for leadership: "There is just a pattern," the source commented. "Such as for Zenith, that's the history of its bosses: Lee Li, then Philip Beck, then Steven Chang. Or for OMG, it's Robert Fitzgerald, then Elaine Ip, then Doug Pearce...."

Farquhar said: "China is, understandably, of high strategic importance to ZenithOptimedia and Publicis Groupe, and I'm daunted and excited by the scope of the role. Most of all, I'm really grateful to Steve King [the global chief executive] and Gerry Boyle [the UK chief executive] for making this happen. It shows a global network that really cares about its people and its global ambitions."