Under the new line-up, Burnett has rehired Sylvia Lee, the former managing director of BBDO Hong Kong, to fill a similar role at its Hong Kong shop.
Lee's appointment follows the departure of Hong Kong general manager Mark Blears, who will take up the role of senior vice-president to lead the McDonald's account in Chicago.
In Beijing, Kevin Cheng, DoubleClick Beijing's general manager, has rejoined Burnett in a similar role. Cheng was the office manager at Burnett Shanghai before he moved to the Beijing office in the late 90s.
Wong said the two hires completed the expanded management line-up he had evisaged to enable Burnett to capitalise on strong China growth. Crucially, he said Cheng's appointment would free up Benjamin Tsang and allow him to focus on his role as national operations director. "Benjamin has been practically managing Beijing. That has deprived us of the opportunity of fully maximising his contribution to our overall China business,
said Wong.
Burnett has also strengthened its creative line-up, transferring Guangzhou-based CD Attlee Ku to Beijing, and Shanghai-based creatives Avis Woo and Willie Chan to go Guangzhou. It has also promoted Woo to executive creative director.
The transfers were made possible with the return of ex-Burnett staff Ruth Lee from New York as Shanghai ECD. Staff will take up their new roles in the next month or two.
Said Wong: "Market growth will come from China not Hong Kong any more." In the last four years, the amount of China business Burnett serviced out of Hong Kong had fallen by half as its China offices increased their share of locally-won business.
