VML has unveiled its new market leadership team across APAC, featuring leaders with robust local knowledge and deep expertise spanning customer experience, brand experience and commerce.
The global brand, customer experience and commerce agency’s new look team follows the merging of WPP creative agencies Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R to create VML.
See also: WPP announces merger of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R to create VML
The new market leadership team will be led by the newly appointed APAC Co-CEOs Audrey Kuah and Yi-Chung Tay. The agency’s principal offices are in Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. The restructure also sees new leadership appointments across the region, effective January 1, 2024.
In Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), Tom Tearle, steps into the role of CEO, VML ANZ as Gavin Bain, Wunderman Thompson CEO for Australia, moves to the role of VML chief consulting officer, ANZ and managing director, Perth, Australia.
Nimesh Desai, Wunderman Thompson CEO for Singapore, has been appointed as VML CEO, Singapore. With Rhys Taylor, VMLY&R managing director, Singapore, taking on the role of VML chief client officer, Singapore, with a focus on ensuring the agency provides its full suite of capabilities to clients.
Samir Gupte, CEO, Wunderman Thompson, Indonesia, moves into the role of CEO, VML Indonesia. Meanwhile in Malaysia Kenni Loh takes on the role of CEO, of the agency’s presence in Malaysia.
In the Philippines, Golda Roldan, CEO, Wunderman Thompson, Philippines, has been appointed CEO, VML Philippines. Parattajariya Jalayanteja, takes on the role of CEO, VML Thailand. Ha Nguyen, VMLY&R CEO, Vietnam, steps into the role of CEO, Vietnam.
Kevin Zhu, VMLY&R China CEO, has been appointed CEO VML, China, and Carter Chow Wunderman Thompson CEO for Greater China, steps into the role of President, VML China.
In Hong Kong: Maggie Wong, CEO, Wunderman Thompson, Hong Kong, has been appointed CEO, Hong Kong.
Ichiro Ota, CEO of VML & Ogilvy Japan, remains in his position, while Akira Suzuki, CEO of Wunderman Thompson Japan, moves into the role of COO of VML Japan. Meanwhile Even Teng, CEO, Wunderman Thompson, Taiwan has been appointed CEO of the agency in Taiwan.
India’s market leaders will be announced in Q1 of 2024. The agency said India is a key market for the agency and they are taking the time to ensure that their teams are led by the most capable leaders for its employees and clients.
Audrey Kuah, co-CEO, VML APAC, welcomed the new APAC leadership team as the agency “redefines the possibilities of creativity and set the stage for more innovative and effective work.”
Yi-Chung Tay, co-CEO, VML APAC, added with their leaders across the APAC network, the agency is “well positioned to provide the best possible solutions to our clients’ most pressing business problems via an integrated suite of capabilities which are unsurpassed in the region.”
The agency works with a diverse range of blue-chip client partners across various industries in APAC, including Ford, The Coca-Cola Company, HSBC, Unilever, Nestle, GSK, Zespri and more.
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Top image: Audrey Kuah and Yi-Chung Tay