Disruption boss takes up SCMP marketing post

McComb is due to take up the position of marketing director at the South China Morning Post. Ian Thubron, EVP of TBWA Asia-Pacific, said the Hong Kong version of The Disruption Consultancy was set up around McComb in 2005. “Ironically, our first major client was the SCMP,” Thubron said.

For a few years, McComb split his time evenly between TBWA and The Disruption Consultancy. However, for the past two years, McComb has spent all his time running The Disruption Consultancy in the region, with a particular focus on developing the business in the Middle East.

At its peak, the Hong Kong branch employed up to eight consultants. However, the anticipated economic slowdown has translated into weaker demand for strategic consultancy. “There’s very much a ‘wait and see’ attitude in Hong Kong at the moment,” said Thubron.

“Companies are spending on the bread and butter of advertising and marketing, but they’re being more cautious about brand consultancy.”

McComb will not be replaced directly, and The Disruption Consultancy Hong Kong will be operating under the TBWATequila mantle.

Worldwide, however, the consultancy remains an operational brand in itself, employing about 50 people.