After the amalgamation of WPP creative agencies VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, VML unveils its fresh in-market leadership team in the Asia-Pacific region. The expanded organization will encompass over 5,000 employees across 25 offices, spanning 13 markets in APAC, dedicated to customer experience, brand experience, and commerce.
The agency has a diverse range of client partners across various industries in APAC, including Ford, The Coca-Cola Company, HSBC, Unilever, Nestle, GSK, and Zespri. Under the leadership of newly-appointed VML APAC Co-CEOs Audrey Kuah and Yi-Chung Tay VML will have its principal APAC offices in Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore. and Sydney.
“We are thrilled to introduce our new APAC leadership team, who represent the cream-of-the-crop across two of the most awarded creative agencies in the region,” said Kuah.
“As we unify our storied agencies, there is an exciting opportunity to redefine the possibilities of creativity and set the stage for more innovative and effective work.”
VML APAC Leadership
ANZ
- In Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), Tom Tearle, VMLY&R ANZ CEO, is appointed to the role of CEO, VML ANZ. Gavin Bain, Wunderman Thompson CEO for Australia, moves to the role of VML Chief Consulting Officer, ANZ and Managing Director, Perth, Australia.
Southeast Asia
- Singapore: Nimesh Desai, Wunderman Thompson CEO for Singapore, has been appointed as VML CEO, Singapore. Rhys Taylor, VMLY&R Managing Director, Singapore, takes on the role of VML Chief Client Officer, Singapore, focused on ensuring that VML is providing its full suite of capabilities to clients.
- Indonesia: Samir Gupte, CEO, Wunderman Thompson, Indonesia, has been appointed CEO, VML Indonesia.
- Malaysia: Kenni Loh, CEO, VMLY&R Malaysia, has been appointed CEO, VML Malaysia.
- Philippines: Golda Roldan, CEO, Wunderman Thompson, Philippines, has been appointed CEO, VML Philippines.
- Thailand: Parattajariya Jalayanteja, CEO Wunderman Thompson, Thailand has been appointed CEO, VML Thailand.
- Vietnam: Ha Nguyen, VMLY&R CEO, Vietnam, has been appointed CEO, VML Vietnam.
East Asia
- In China, 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.
- Hong Kong: Maggie Wong, CEO, Wunderman Thompson, Hong Kong, has been appointed CEO, VML Hong Kong.
- Japan: Ichiro Ota, CEO, VML & Ogilvy Japan remains in his position; while Akira Suzuki, CEO, Wunderman Thompson Japan, moves into the role of COO, VML Japan.
- Taiwan: Even Teng, CEO, Wunderman Thompson, Taiwan has been appointed CEO, VML, Taiwan.
South Asia
VML said in a statement “India is a key market for VML, and we are taking the time to ensure that our teams are led by the most capable leaders for our employees and clients”
The agency said it will announce India’s leadership in Q1 2024.
Yi-Chung Tay, Co-CEO, VML APAC, said: “At VML we are dedicated to creating connected brands which matter to the consumer and drive growth for our client partners.
Working closely with our leaders across our APAC network, we are 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.”
