Cohn & Wolfe hires APAC president

ASIA-PACIFIC – Cohn & Wolfe has appointed Matt Stafford as president for Asia-Pacific.

Based in Hong Kong, Stafford will oversee all operations in the region, working closely with the agency’s market leaders across greater China, India and Southeast Asia. He will report to Donna Imperato, Cohn & Wolfe Group CEO.

“Cohn & Wolfe is a growth engine right now, and its momentum in Asia is a key part of this global success” said Stafford. I can’t wait to join Donna and her team during such an exciting time in Cohn & Wolfe’s evolution into an integrated communications powerhouse.”

With more than 15 years’ communications experience in Asia, Stafford was CEO of Burson-Marsteller’s China and Hong Kong practices from 2011 until 2014. He was also recently cabinet secretary in the Australian government, and previously director of policy in the office of the Australian prime minister.

Stafford has handled several multinational brand accounts over his career, including Huawei Consumer, Adidas, Qualcomm, Bank of America and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Imperato said: “Not only does Matt have an impeccable track record of Asian agency leadership, he is widely respected for his broad expertise across corporate, consumer and technology, and for his ability to enact effective solutions in challenging situations. We are thrilled to have him join us at such a critical time in our global expansion.”