CAREERS: Wunderman names new AP president

Rinaldi was in the job for 18 months prior to which he worked for Ogilvy & Mather in Asia.

He was vice-chairman of Ogilvy & Mather Greater China from 1999-2000 and Ogilvy & Mather Asia-Pacific president for IBM services unit based in Beijing from 1995-1998.

Rinaldi said he was keen to return to Asia because it was a place he considered home.

He grew up in Hawaii, which has a strong Asian culture and, in Rinaldi's opinion, was different to the US mainland, according to Rinaldi.

"I'm very comfortable with living in Asia because it seems familiar to me, he added.

Rinaldi declined to comment on his plans for Wunderman once he takes over, and the objectives he wishes to achieve in the new position.

"I don't want to jump to any conclusions too quickly.

"I have been away for 18 months so I need to re-acquaint myself with the region, he added.

Rinaldi, who will be responsible for the network's profit and loss in the Asia-Pacific region, will report to Wunderman's global chief executive officer, Daniel Morel, as well as to Wunderman's newly appointed regional co-chairmen - Arun Nanda and Yasuo Yoshitome.

Morel said: "These changes are part of a continuing global strategy to strengthen Wunderman's leadership around the world and to leverage expertise throughout the network."

Morel said Haf will focus on developing Wunderman's business in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe where there is high growth potential.

He added, Haf's 12 years of experience in Asia coupled with his strong leadership capabilities should stand him in good stead.

Wunderman Asia Pacific recently went through a management restructuring in which DY&R management at a country level took on overall management responsibility for its respective Wunderman offices.

For example, Tanuj Philip, DY&R Singapore managing director, now also manages Wunderman Singapore.

Morel said: "Rinaldi's experience on both sides of the advertising fence is a perfect complement to what we are trying to achieve with the DY&R/Wunderman alliance in Asia."