Move and win roundup: Williams Lea Tag, Microsoft, TBWA, Sparcmedia, GHC Asia, more

PEOPLE MOVES

Kian Fong Wong (黄健丰) joined R/GA Shanghai as managing director to look after clients Nike, Beats, Old Navy and AIA. Previously, he was general manager of integrated services and marketing at Pico for seven months. Earlier on in his career, Wong co-founded FlipScript Interactive in 2008 which was later renamed to Deep Focus China after being acquired by Engine Group in 2013.

Williams Lea Tag named Andrew Swinton as managing director for Australia and New Zealand. Currently based in Sydney, Swinton was previously managing director for Cheil and has held senior positions at Publicis Mojo and McCann Erickson.

Sam Olsen, previously co-founder at social listening startup Lamplight Analytics, joined SI Partners Asia as a director. He officially began on 1 Oct, and will be providing advice on digital and technology sector transactions and fundraising, in addition to start-up and growth consulting.

The Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) appointed Anne Howard as its new CEO. She has 25 years of communication experience in commercial and academic roles.

Sparcmedia appointed Kurt Holloway as sales director for its Australia and New Zealand agency and direct advertiser business. He joined the company earlier this year as Victorian state manager.

GHC Asia appointed Brad Burgess as head of China, reporting to Nicola Oldfield, group managing director. He will be based in Beijing, but will work across the Beijing and Shanghai. He joins from Burson-Marsteller.

Ruder Finn China hired Alan Ma (马萍) to head its digital arm, Ruder Finn Innovation Studios (RFI). Ma will oversee RFI offices in Beijing and Shanghai as well as being involved in regional collaboration with the rest of the Ruder Finn network. Prior to this, she was Edelman Beijing’s technology practice head for almost four years.

Amplifi, the strategic media investment and partnerships division of Dentsu Aegis Network, appointed Greg Brown as president, Australia and New Zealand. He takes over the role from Paul Brooks, who was appointed CEO of Carat earlier this month. Formerly Dentsu’s media group chief financial officer, in his new role Brown will direct major media investments across the network’s clients, working with Amplifi’s team of more than 100 staff across the region.

Independent Australian PR agency Zing announced leadership changes to its executive team. Anna MacIntosh has been appointed to the newly created role of managing partner, while current MD and founder, Preya McMahon, is to lead Zing’s new VR and AR unit, ZVR.

Microsoft appointed Alberto Granados as its new vice president of sales, marketing and operations, Asia Pacific, based in Singapore. He will lead an organisation that spans the entire spectrum of Microsoft products, services and technologies, and over 2,700 employees as well as 63,000 partners across 13 markets. In addition, he will focus on driving Microsoft’s cloud leadership in Asia Pacific. Granados was previously VP, enterprise and partner group (EPG) for Asia.

TBWA\Group Kuala Lumpur promoted Yee Hui Tsin to chief operating officer, responsible for the overall management and growth of the company. She will continue to report to chief executive officer, Aaron Cowie. Previously general manager of TBWA\Digital Arts Network (DAN) and Creative Juice\Kuala Lumpur, Yee has been with the company for the past seven years.

Uber appointed Katie Lee as head of communications of Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. Prior to that, she was managing international communications for Chinese e-commerce site JD.com. 

Leagas Delaney Shanghai appointed Caroline So (苏露琳) as managing director and Tom Shum (沈伟伦) as executive creative director. So's last role was regional business director at McCann Shanghai, and Shum was digital creative director at TLC Marketing.

WINS AND DEALS

Experience management software provider Sitecore engaged The Hoffman Agency as its agency of record for the Singapore market. The agency will provide strategic counsel and public relations outreach to strengthen the brand’s presence in this market.

Sands China named Williams Lea Tag as its marketing execution partner, providing digital and print creative production and adaptation services in China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

Global sports streaming service DAZN appointed We Are Social as its global social media agency. The service has launched in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and is coming soon in Japan.

Location data technology provider Blis appointed Bold Media Australia to head up its local media relations and communications activities. The company plans to work with the agency to help redefine the role of mobile in Australia’s media plans.