Dentsu Network Asia names new Singapore CEO, plans regional council

The network also plans to launch a regional council, Dick van Motman, chairman and chief executive officer of Dentsu Network/Asia told Campaign Asia-Pacific. To be led by van Motman, the council will consist of leaders for different functions.

Aki Kakegawa, currently based in New York as senior director for business development at Dentsu Holdings USA, will relocate to Singapore in a month’s time as senior vice-president for Dentsu Network Asia, and he will be joining the regional council.

Based in Singapore, Tay will report to van Motman when she joins on Monday, 1 July. Van Motman told Campaign Asia-Pacific that Tay’s experience allows her to understand the needs and struggle of brands and enables her to bring in unbundled client-centric solutions.

He added that Singapore is a strategic market for the network as it aligns with the global imperative to focus on results-driven innovation for its clients.

Tay will be responsible for setting and driving the strategic development of Dentsu Singapore into a flagship operation, particularly in the areas of talent, product and positioning, according to the agency. Its past and present clients include Canon, Marina Bay Sands, Ministry of Manpower, Nanyang Technological University and Toyota.

With more than 23 years of experience in Asia and Europe in multiple industries including advertising, fast food, alcohol and spirits, and aviation, Tay has worked in both agency and marketing roles; She was managing director and head of marketing for consumer banking at DBS Bank, managing director for Tiger Airways Singapore, deputy managing director at Leo Burnett Advertising and marketing director at Yum Restaurants International.

Kang will leave Dentsu Singapore after 11 years, to pursue his own interests. Van Motman praised Kang's "integral role" at Dentsu Singapore.

Kang said: “It has been a long and productive stint at Dentsu Singapore. I am leaving the agency in good hands and am looking forward to a short sabbatical before I start on the next chapter in my life pursuing something that I’ve always been wanting to do."

Dentsu Network Asia has seen significant transformation since van Motman came on board in October for “a changing Dentsu”. He has since made appointments including Ujjwal Sarao as regional head of talent and Ted Lim as CCO for Asia. It also launched an office in Myanmar in February.