JWT China creates CEO role, fills it from McCann

J. Walter Thompson China has named Carter Chow(周世雄), previously chief marketing officer for Greater China at McCann Worldgroup, as CEO.

Beginning on 2 January he will oversee JWT's offices in Shanghai, where he will be based, and Beijing. He will report to JWT Asia Pacific CEO John Gutteridge and work closely with Norman Tan, the agency's China chairman and North Asia chief creative officer.

The CEO role is a new one, created after John Gutteridge stepped up from leading the agency in Australia and New Zealand to his regional role. JWT previously had MDs in each office reporting directly to ex-APAC CEO Tom Doctoroff.

Prior to McCann, Chow served as managing director of McCann Shanghai and before that of Y&R Shanghai. His appointment marks his return to JWT China, where he worked as a group account director from 2002 to 2006.

“Carter has an intimate understanding of what it takes to grow brands in China, but he also has a very global perspective on culture and commerce," said Gutteridge. "He is innovative and enterprising, which fits perfectly with the future of our business.”

Meanwhile, George Shi (施睿, pictured below) has been promoted from the position of general manager to managing director of the agency's Shanghai office. Before JWT Shanghai, Shi took a client-side marketing role at Chinese sports brand Anta.