Move and win roundup: Week of July 8, 2024

Edelman Singapore has appointed Daniel Ko as executive creative director, joining the leadership team under CEO Julia Wei and the regional creative community led by APAC chief creative officer Tim Green. Ko, who brings extensive experience from his previous role as creative director at Accenture Song and other key positions at renowned agencies like 72 and Sunny, BBH, and DDB, will focus on delivering earned creative value for a diverse portfolio of clients. Recognised for his innovative campaigns for brands such as Google and Heineken, Ko aims to drive transformative and effective programs at Edelman. 

Goodstuph Thailand and Good People Network have launched Jelly, a new creative agency led by Erik Gunawan and Kahi, formerly of Good People Network. Jelly aims to transform the advertising landscape for challenger brands across the Asia-Pacific region, leveraging the duo's expertise and creative vision. The agency reflects the leadership model of Good People Network, guided by co-founders Jeremy Chia and Fajar Kurnia, whose direction has earned the network over 75 global, regional, and local awards in the past four year

Tatler Asia has announced an exclusive licensing partnership with House of Moco to launch the platform in Vietnam this August. This venture will offer Tatler’s digital and print content in Vietnamese, with digital content on TatlerAsia.com and new social media accounts for Tatler Vietnam. The first print issue is set for October 2024, and the Tatler Ball, Vietnam, will debut in 2025. Leading the venture as managing director will be Hami Tran, a highly respected figure in the fashion industry with over a decade of experience in fashion, media, retail, marketing, e-commerce, and education. Tran has previously launched Elle and L’Officiel magazines in Vietnam and has held positions at The Walt Disney Company, Gucci, and Chanel.

Ogilvy Health has named Sofia Beccarelli as associate planning director for APAC. In her new role, she will be responsible for driving the continued growth of Ogilvy Health’s client portfolio in Asia Pacific, supporting key regional clients with their marketing transformation, and partnering with in-market teams to strategically and creatively expand the world of healthcare communications.

PHD Singapore has promoted Sumiati Hashim to managing director. In her new role, Hashim will oversee both national and international businesses for PHD, continue to establish the strategic goals for growth and transformation, acquire talent, and mentor the future leaders of PHD Singapore. Hashim was most recently PHD Singapore’s general manager and has spent a decade at the agency.

Initiative has promoted Megan Davey to the newly created role of head of the agency’s Melbourne office following Sarah James' resignation. Davey was previously the general manager of the agency’s Melbourne office and has been with the agency since 2016. In her new role, Davey will focus on delivering innovation and business results for Initiative’s clients.

The Australian Influencer Marketing Council (AIMCO) has welcomed Mushroom Connect, the Mushroom Group’s newly launched talent management and partnerships agency, as its newest member. Mushroom Connect, officially launched yesterday, provides specialist talent management services, influencer marketing, and artist representation that connect talent and brands.

Communications firm Sandpiper Group has promoted Francesca Boase to lead the region in the newly created role of managing director, Australia and New Zealand, and Eddie Morton to oversee the agency’s Australia operations as deputy general manager. Boase is also Sandpiper’s global managing director for professional services, and Morton is the deputy lead for Sandpiper Health. Camille Middleditch will continue in her role as deputy general manager of Sandpiper New Zealand. 

Suhayl Limbada has been elevated to market lead and chief marketing officer of KFC Thailand.  Limbada moved to Thailand from South Africa in 2022 as CMO. As market lead, his responsibilities include driving brand growth for the 1,100 restaurants in Thailand and ensuring operational excellence for commercial success. He joined Yum in South Africa in 2015 and started as KFC marketing manager and was then promoted to marketing director in 2018. Before joining Yum, he worked for Mondelēz International, Kraft Foods Group and Cadburys Schweppes PLC. Campaign published an interview with him as KFC recently celebrated its 40th anniversary in Thailand.

UM Australia has promoted Michael Mellington to the newly created role of head of media planning, effective immediately, reporting directly to Raj Gupta, UM chief strategy and growth officer. Previously head of partnerships in Melbourne, Mellington will lead UM’s national media planning team, bringing his extensive experience and passion for innovative media solutions to the forefront of UM’s media planning craft. Mellington joined UM in 2016. Before UM, he worked at Carat and Havas. 

Lisa Ronson has joined Medibank as chief marketing officer, taking the helm from Fiona Le Brocq, who is leaving after over eight years with the health insurer. Ronson previously spent over four years as CMO at Coles and held a similar role at Tourism Australia. In her new capacity, Ronson will oversee the bank’s marketing, customer channels, portfolios, ‘Live better,’ and diversified insurance initiatives. She will report to Medibank Group lead and chief customer officer Milosh Milisavljevic. Ronson was previously a member of Campaign’s 2022 APAC Power List, marking her fourth time on the list.

Communications firm Ruder Finn has promoted Brian Witte to head of its Southeast Asia corporate practice and hired Pamela Phua as general manager of Ruder Finn Singapore. Witte, with over a decade at the firm, has advised numerous corporate clients during his tenure as general manager of Ruder Finn Singapore. In his new role, Witte will focus on cross-border client collaboration and explore new business opportunities in Southeast Asia. Before joining Ruder Finn, Phua was head of new business, Asia, PR and Influence at Ogilvy.

MediaMonks has appointed Ron Lee as vice president of growth for platform and experience. Working alongside Rogier Bikker, managing director of Media.Monks China, and Dixi Chern, client service director of Media.Monks Shanghai. In this new role, Lee will serve as the key driver for AI adoption within the Shanghai office, and lead growth initiatives for the platform and experience discipline.

Design Bridge and Partners’ Hannah Duley has left to join HSBC as head of employer brand for APAC. Duley spent over three years at Design Bridge, where she was most recently global client lead. She has also had stints at Ogilvy and AKQA. In her new role, she will head up the newly-formed employer brand team and report to Kristien Turner, global head of employer brand.

Muthoot FinCorp, an Indian non-banking financial services company (NBFC), has appointed Havas Media Network India to manage its integrated media mandate. Havas Media's Bengaluru operations will drive the brand's media duties across OOH, digital platforms, television, print, and on-ground activations.

Consultancy Human8 has promoted Mark Alvarez to head of operations APAC and Daniel Teixeira as senior business director of Southeast Asia. Alvarez has spent six years at Human8 and previously worked at AXA. Teixeira has been at Human8 since 2020, when the company was still known as ABN Impact.

Abhijat Bharadwaj has been appointed Dentsu Creative Isobar's chief creative officer (CCO). Reporting to Amit Wadhwa, CEO of Dentsu Creative India, and Sahil Shah, president of Dentsu Creative Isobar, Bharadwaj will work closely with the leadership team to drive the agency's creative agenda forward. You can read more on his appointment here.

Merkle Singapore, a Dentsu Singapore CXM agency, has been reappointed as the exclusive digital marketing agency for Royal Brunei Airlines for another three years, extending a partnership of over a decade. Merkle Singapore will leverage its expertise in email and customer relationship management (CRM), media, search engine optimisation (SEO), app store optimisation (ASO), and data and strategy consultation to help Royal Brunei Airlines meet post-pandemic travel demand and boost digital revenue.

Hello Social has named Dan Fryer as executive creative director (ECD). Fryer, who has been with The Monkeys for over five years as creative director, will collaborate closely with a full-service team across editorial, studio, production, talent, media, and PR. He brings a wealth of experience and awards, including Effies, One Show, Cannes Lions Titanium Grand Prix, and D&AD Black Pencil. Prior to The Monkeys, Fryer worked at Leo Burnett, Havas, J. Walter Thompson, and BMF.

Dentsu Queensland has been chosen as the agency of record for Good Drinks Australia. Dentsu will handle strategy and media for Good Drinks following the beverage company's rapid expansion into Queensland. Good Drinks' brands include Gage Roads, Single Fin, Matsos’, Rider, Coors, Miller Genuine Draft & Chill, among others.

Chupa Chups has selected The General Store, an independent creative agency, as its lead creative partner in Australia and New Zealand. The agency will develop an integrated above-the-line, social, and influencer campaign targeting Gen Z audiences to energise the 66-year-old global confectionery brand. The General Store will start work immediately, leveraging its expertise in expansive creative and youth culture to create content and experiences across platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has appointed M&C Saatchi as its creative behaviour change agency, effective immediately, following a competitive pitch. M&C Saatchi will help drive a deeper commitment to blood donation in Australia through creative, behavioural change campaigns. Australian Red Cross Lifeblood provides blood, plasma, transplantation, and biological products across the country.