Top exits and entrances of 2024

The end of the year is an ideal time to reflect on the many changes that have occurred over the past 12 months. In the marcomms industry, this reflection includes assessing all the promotions, hires, and departures among industry leaders. The year 2024 was particularly active, with many executives making significant moves amid a bumpy economy, restructuring efforts, mergers and consolidations, and subsequent layoffs that have introduced complexities into the hiring landscape in APAC.

 

Let’s take a look at the shifts in leadership throughout 2024. Here are Campaign Asia-Pacific's highlights of the top exits and entrances of 2024:

 

10. IPG loses a bit of its initiative

Out: James Smyllie, Rajiv Jayaraj

Promoted: Leigh Terry

 

 

Back in August, James Smyllie, who served as the president of Initiative APAC, stepped down as part of a restructuring of the agency's regional leadership team. His departure came just as one of Initative’s biggest clients, Amazon, was reviewing its global media account. IPG Mediabrands stated that Leigh Terry, the APAC CEO, would take over direct leadership of Initiative APAC in addition to his existing responsibilities within the broader IPG Mediabrands network. Smyllie had been with the agency for just under three years and had previously held roles at Essence and Carat.

 

Meanwhile, the restructuring also followed other leadership shifts within IPG Mediabrands, including exits such as Rajiv Jayaraj, who stepped down as the Singapore head of Mediabrands Content Studio.

 

9. AKQA bids farewell to founder

Out: Ajaz Ahmed, Sam Kelly, Johnny Budden

Promoted: Brian Vella

 

 

Ajaz Ahmed, the founder and CEO of AKQA Group, resigned after 30 years at the helm of the agency he established in 1994. Weeks after Ahmed's resignation, Sam Kelly, the CMO announced his departure after 17 years with the agency. Additionally, other senior leaders left the agency, including managing partner Ron Peterson and chief creative officer Johnny Budden. Meanwhile,  newly announced restructuring will divide AKQA into three profit-and-loss segments by market: the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, with Brian Vella, managing partner in APAC, appointed chief executive of the region.

 

8. Burson bursts with new appointments

In: Adrian Warr, Cindy Lim, Rikki Jones, Claire Li, Marianne Admardatine, Tsuyoshi Takemura and Michael Rhydderch

 

 

After BCW and Hill & Knowlton merged in July to form Burson, the newly formed communications giant went on a hiring spree. Notable appointments included Simeon Mellalieu as its new CEO for Hong Kong, Adrian Warr as CEO for South Asia-Pacific, overseeing operations in India, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Cindy Lim was appointed CEO of Burson Singapore, while Rikki Jones took on the dual role of CEO for Burson Group Singapore and president of GCI Health Asia-Pacific.

 

Other significant appointments included Claire Li as CEO for Greater China, Marianne Admardatine as CEO for Indonesia, and Tsuyoshi Takemura as CEO for Japan. In addition, Amelia Tipping was named APAC chief growth officer, and Michael Rhydderch was appointed APAC head of sustainability. These strategic appointments aimed to enhance Burson's capabilities and client offerings in a rapidly evolving market.

 

7. PHD raids EssenceMediacom

In: Vincent Rebeix

Out: James Hawkins

Promoted: Eileen Ooi

 

 

PHD poached Vincent Rebeix from EssenceMediacom to become its first global chief operating officer, a move aimed at strengthening its leadership and enhancing operational capabilities. Rebeix previously served as the global chief product and solutions officer at EssenceMediacom.

 

It was a year of significant leadership changes for PHD, as they also appointed Eileen Ooi as CEO for APAC. Ooi stepped in after James Hawkins’ unexpected departure in April. Hawkins, who had led the agency for nearly six years, left abruptly in April 2024. While OMG provided few details, they cited a desire to “chart its future in this evolving media landscape.” Meanwhile, Ooi, who brings over 19 years of industry experience, was previously the CEO of OMG Malaysia and has a strong track record in driving growth and client relationships.

 

6. Chow's second act at McCann

In: Carter Chow

Out: Shu Wu, Yinbo Ma, Amon Jiang

 

 

Amid several leadership changes, McCann appointed Carter Chow as CEO of Greater China, marking his second tenure with the agency after an eight-year absence. He'd previously served as managing director of McCann's Shanghai office and chief marketing officer for Greater China before leaving to take roles as CEO of J. Walter Thompson China and president of VML. His return to McCann came after a series of executive exits, including Shu Wu, the former managing director of McCann China, who left to return to the client side. Other key departures included Yinbo Ma, the chief creative officer, and Amon Jiang, the chief financial officer, both of whom joined Ogilvy.

 

5. Havas has a shake up in India

Out: Tarun Jha

Promoted: Rana Barua, Kundan Joshee, Anupama Ramaswamy, Geet Nazir, Prashant Tekwani

 

 

In January, Rana Barua was elevated to group CEO of Havas India, adding nine new markets to his role as group CEO of India, Southeast and North Asia. Meanwhile, after Tarun Jha exited Havas Creative India after a brief tenure of 12 months as CEO, the agency underwent significant leadership changes aimed at strengthening its management structure. 

 

Kundan Joshee was promoted from managing partner to managing director of Havas Worldwide India, taking on greater responsibilities in overseeing operations. Anupama Ramaswamy, the chief creative officer, was elevated to joint managing director while retaining her creative leadership role. Geet Nazir, formerly managing partner at Conran Design Mumbai, was promoted to managing director of that agency. Prashant Tekwani transitioned from managing partner at Havas CX India to managing director for both Havas CX India and Ekino (technology) India.

 

4. Publicis appoints global ECD in Hong Kong
In: João Braga

Promoted: Pauly Grant, Martin Davie, Jonathan Mackenzie, Joanna Ong

 

 

Publicis Groupe made significant leadership changes across its APAC operations, notably appointing João Braga as the global executive creative director for Publicis Groupe Hong Kong. Braga, who relocated from Wunderman Thompson Australia, brings over 20 years of global experience and is expected to enhance the agency's creative capabilities while working closely with chief creative officer Christopher Lee and CEO Tom Kao.

 

In addition, Pauly Grant was promoted to chief talent officer for APAC, continuing her role in the ANZ region and focusing on talent and culture strategies. Other key promotions included Martin Davie as head of performance, Jonathan Mackenzie as head of data solutions, and Joanna Ong as managing director of communications and PR for Publicis Groupe APAC. 

 

 

2. GroupM performs major shake-up

Out: Christian Juhl, Patrick Xu, Jose Campon, Alice Chow, Irene Tsui, Carlton Kwan, Gilles Detanger

In: Brian Lesser, Austin Winters

Promoted: Jerman Zhang, Arshan Saha

 

 

GroupM had a truly shake-up year, with some of its key players departing, including global CEO Christian Juhl, who stepped down after five years to take up a new role within WPP as president of corporate development. In his place, WPP appointed Brian Lesser as the new global CEO who joined from InfoSum.

 

Juhl wasn't the only senior leader to exit. In February, Patrick Xu, the CEO of GroupM China stepped down after more than 10 years with the company. While Wavemaker China CEO, Jose Campon, announced his exit after four years to pursue new opportunities.

 

GroupM's Hong Kong operations also faced a significant restructuring, resulting in the departures of several senior leaders, including Alice Chow, the CEO, and Irene Tsui, managing director of Mindshare Hong Kong. The leadership shake-up also included exits from key positions such as Carlton Kwan, CFO for GroupM Hong Kong, and Gilles Detanger, chief commercial officer for EssenceMediacom APAC. 

 

But 2024 wasn't entirely made up of exits for GroupM. Jerman Zhang was promoted to president of Nexus for China. And Austin Winters was appointed as president of Choreograph China, leading the integration of media products and data analytics. Meanwhile, in Singapore, Arshan Saha, previously the CEO of GroupM Nexus APAC, was named CEO of GroupM Singapore. The dual role aims to enhance local growth while overseeing regional activation teams.

 

1. Dentsu gets a rehaul

Out: Rob Gilby, Chun Yin Mak, Dominic Powers

In: Dan Pantumsinchai, Ganga Chirravuri, Matt Farrington

 

 

2024 was a bit of a rollercoaster for leadership changes at Dentsu. The pattern of frequent exits and new appointments over several years has persistently raised concerns about stability within Dentsu's leadership ranks.

 

Notably, CEO of Dentsu APAC, Rob Gilby, stepped down after just over two years in the role, while Chun Yin Mak, CEO of Dentsu China, announced his departure after just one year. Mak was replaced by Guang Cui, who previously led Dentsu Creative China. This quick turnover in leadership roles has contributed to the perception of what some might call a revolving door.

 

Meanwhile, Dominic Powers, chief growth and innovation officer for Dentsu APAC, left the agency after four years. He was responsible for driving organic revenue growth and identifying innovative solutions across media, creative, and CRM.

 

But amid all the exits there were some new appointments. Dan Pantumsinchai was appointed as managing director of gaming for APAC, reflecting Dentsu's desire to expand its presence in the gaming industry. While Ganga Chirravuri was appointed president of product & development, APAC, and Matt Farrington as president of investment & trading, APAC. It's hoped these roles will drive innovation and enhance client solutions across the region.

 

Overall, the series of leadership changes at Dentsu in 2024 reflects ongoing challenges within the organisation as it seeks to adapt to market pressures. Despite its 'One Dentsu' strategy, a model designed to unify Dentsu's global operations, the view from here is that it's not looking particularly unified for Dentsu at the moment. Perhaps 2025 will play out differently.