The management training programme is run out of the Starcom MediaVest Group University in Chicago.
This is the group's second investment in Top Gun training for the region after 2002's inaugural batch of 17 candidates, which resulted in seven promotions, five to country head roles and the remainder as general managers.
The most latest promotion is Starcom's assistant MD in Thailand, Atipol Ithavatan, who is now MD following predecessor Triluj Navamarat's appointment to a similar role for Vietnam.
Earlier MD level promotions include Mabel Leung in Hong Kong, Peter Zhi in Beijing, Melissa Ho in Singapore, Ravi Kiran in West/South India and Ravi Moorthy in Guangzhou.
Two managers from the original batch have left the network.
D Sriram, chief executive officer for Starcom Southeast Asia/India, said Top Gun had helped keep staff churn at the top level to a minimum.
"The course is for those second in line below the managers who are now running the office," he said.
Designed to groom the next in line for promotion to the top role, Sriram said Top Gun offered business and leadership training. "It's about equipping the candidates with skills to become business leaders in order that they can run an office; it's about how to handle clients, negotiate fees."
According to Starcom Singapore MD Ho, SMGU has customised the course for regional candidates this year, following feedback from the first batch.
To give Top Gun greater regional relevance, Asia-Pacific-based CEOs were invited to share their management experience on region-specific issues as well as new business strategies for Asia.
Ho said the overall course had been expanded from three to five days for more indepth instruction on financial management after feedback noted that the initial offer was superficial.