By Our Staff
In the world of politics in India, names of Chief Ministers (and not too long ago, even a Prime Minister) doesn’t always happen as per expectations. It could take days, often some weeks.
Which is what’s happening at VML, the new agency that will be born on January 1, 2024 with the merger of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R. The agency has announced its new in-market leadership team for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, except for India. Yes, not for India.
Notes a communique: “Uniting more than 5000 employees across 25 offices in 13 markets in APAC, the new structure has been designed to provide best-in-class support for VML’s clients across the region, featuring market leaders with robust local knowledge and deep expertise spanning customer experience, brand experience and commerce.”
VML is being the world’s most advanced and largest creative company.
Under the leadership of newly appointed VML APAC Co-CEOs Audrey Kuah and Yi-Chung Tay, and with its regional principal offices in Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney, the restructure sees the appointment of the following market leaders (by region) from January 1, 2024:
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 the new VML is providing the full suite of capabilities to its 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
India: No names yet. The communique says: “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. We will announce India’s leadership in Q1 2024.”
Said Audrey Kuah, Co-CEO, VML APAC: “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. 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.”
Added Yi-Chung Tay, Co-CEO, VML APAC: “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.”
Meanwhile, there is speculation around who will head VML in India. Saurabh Saksena, CEO of VMLY&R or Shamsuddin Jasani, Chief Executive Officer, Wunderman Thompson South Asia. Consider the explanation given: “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. We will announce India’s leadership in Q1 2024.”
So, are all other markets in APAC not “key”?
Taking the time to ensure teams are led by the most capable leaders. Uff, is the current leadership not capable for “employees and clients”?
Well, while we keep ‘wundering’, suffice to say that such delays do not augur too well for both clients and staff.
An insider in one of the two (actually four) agencies sent us this:
In the realm of ads and creative glee,
VMLY&R joins hands with Wunderman Thompson, you see.
But in India, oh what a mystery,
No leader yet, just a vacancy.
They search high and low, far and wide,
For a capable chief to take the stride.
A leader to steer, with talent and pride,
Till then, in suspense, we all abide.
In the world of mergers and agency lore,
The missing leader, we can’t ignore.
VML, oh who could ask for more?
A chiefless ship, on an unknown shore.
Grrr!