Starting from 1 July, Deo will take over the dual role from Christina Cheang, who has decided to take some time off from work after five years with the agency.
Coming from a consulting background, Deo will bring more than 20 years of Asia-Pacific communications and brand-building experience.
Deo told Campaign Asia-Pacific that the most compelling factor in the move is the agency’s G4 Model. “The traditional way to form a company in this industry is around practice, but the G4 Model is a refreshing change, which is built around what people do best, and allows us to fully deploy our people’s skill set,” he said.
“The changing nature of PR is about its ability to adapt and give clients what they want,” he added. “Clients today are more likely to work with partners who can define what success looks like for them.”
Aiming to build on the agency’s achievements and attract more talent, Deo will also focus on pushing the G4 Model out and making sure its stakeholders and clients understand it.
Prior to the new role, Deo was managing director and senior partner of FleishmanHillard’s operations across Southeast Asia and India, as well as senior vice-president for market development and the technology group for Asia. He has worked for brands including Philips, Nokia, Visa, Procter & Gamble, McKinsey, AT&T, and DBS Bank.