Kang replaces Munehiko Goto, who moved to Dentsu Bangkok in November last year. In his new role, Kang will report to Dentsu Asia chief operating officer, Noriyuki Shutto. AdGrand's chairman and owner Tan Ching Khoon has taken over Kang's role.
Kang's departure highlights the difficulties facing independent agencies in retaining key employees and competing against strong multinational media agencies, which have been successful in persuading clients to consolidate media planning and buying.
In the past 18 months, he said AdGrand had lost three media accounts, the latest was Proton. Its distributor Cycle & Carriage appointed CIA to a master media contract, covering its other two brands, Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi.
He also said AdGrand's failure to offer him an equity stake was one of the reasons why he choose to leave. "Big multinationals will always pay better. To make up for that, independents need to consider equity arrangements."
