Thompson will be based in London. A press statement from Kinetic stated that Thompson's new remit will include the expansion of Kinetic’s global strategy through new partnerships and increasing the roll-out of Kinetic’s specialist divisions for its international clients.
O’Donnell, currently the business development director for the UK, will relocate to Hong Kong to oversee Kinetic’s existing operations in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines and work closely with the expanding Kinetic China operation. The existing regional management will remain based in Singapore, reporting to O'Donnell.
As of January, Kinetic will be fully owned by WPP's GroupM; previously the holding company has held a 50 per cent stake in the business.
Steve Ridley, global chief operating officer at Kinetic, said: As advertising becomes more global, Kinetic is the best placed agency to address the evolving needs of advertisers and agencies alike. Both roles reflect our commitment to a more integrated and coordinated global approach.”
