Grey has announced the appointment of Sarah Trombetta as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This strategic move extends her existing responsibilities to encompass the oversight and leadership of Grey’s operations across the APAC region, effective immediately.
Trombetta brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She previously served as the CEO of Grey Hong Kong from 2016 to 2019, where she led significant growth and innovation. Since 2021, she has been the AMEA Chief Client Officer for Procter & Gamble (P&G) on behalf of both Grey and its parent company, WPP, demonstrating her strong leadership and client management skills.
Her expanded role as APAC CEO reflects Grey’s commitment to strengthening its presence and leadership in the region, leveraging Trombetta’s extensive experience and proven track record of success.
“APAC is a hyper-evolving marketplace, and a priority region for our ongoing reinvention plans. Under Sarah’s guidance, her client-focused leadership, ingenuity, and modernity, I’m confident she’ll help nurture and support our teams to deliver even further value for our clients,” said Global CEO Laura Manes.
“A vibrant and dynamic leader, I am very proud to appoint Sarah to this key role.”
Trombetta brings more two decades of industry experience. She was CEO of Red Havas AU (2019-2021), and has worked at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, KAIZO, and Brand Influence GCI Media Group. Sarah is on the Board of Wear It Purple, which strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering, and inclusive environments for rainbow young people.
“I’m a Grey boomerang because my love for this company is in my veins, and I care deeply about helping our teams and our clients do the best work of their lives,” said Sarah. “Having previously served as CEO of a Grey studio in a local market, I’m excited to flex those creative, commercial, and culture-building muscles in a way that better serves the whole of our region.
I’m looking forward to delivering growth through our Famously Effective work for our incredible clients.”
Masahiko Okazaki Elevated to Chief Executive Officer Grey Tokyo
As part of Grey’s reinvention plans, Trombetta announced the promotion of Masahiko Okazaki to Chief Executive Officer, Grey Tokyo, effective immediately. Promoted from Chief Operating Officer, Okazaki joined Grey in January 2022 from TBWA/Hakuhodo.
“Masa’s stature in the marketplace and client connections will drive and foster our borderless agenda to spearhead growth for Grey’s clients and the agency, Grey Tokyo is well renowned for our award-winning creative standards, and I look forward to Masa raising the bar even higher,” said Trombetta.
“It is an honour to be named CEO of Grey Tokyo, I am excited and confident we will build exponentially on our success,” said Masa.
The company added that Grey studios across the globe are creating Famously Effective work impacting clients and the audiences it serves, adding that it recently used generative AI with Coway to visualize dreams in a sleep-deprived Malaysia and used animation reminiscent of The Ren & Stimpy Show, to highlight the atrocities of British pig farming in partnership with PETA.
“We earned Pringles Hollywood attention without ever making a Hollywood movie, but with a viral Super Bowl spot starring Chris Pratt as the iconic Mr. P. And, by engaging 30 of the largest NGOs in Argentina to postpone their campaigns around World Cancer Day, we influenced a 275% increase in mammograms conducted.”
