He will be replaced by Mal-colm Hanlon, MD of Zenith-Optimedia International in London, in November. Abplanalp will join an undisclosed rival in Shanghai.
"Alex has been with us a long time, and wanted to try something new," explained Philip Talbot, CEO of ZenithOptimedia Group in Asia-Pacific. "Malcolm's work on Puma, Lexus and Hyundai has won awards for creativity and delivering ROI, and he's one of the most driven people I know."
Before his London post, Hanlon spent five years at ZenithOptimedia Singapore as general manager.
Talbot has assigned Optimedia China CEO Steven Chang, additional duties for the agency's Guangzhou office and Alan Yau, GM of Zenith Shanghai, responsibility for Equinox Shanghai.
Philip Beck, CEO of Publicis Groupe's central buying unit, China Media Exchange, now also oversees the group's Alliance network of non-affiliated local agencies.
Abplanalp leaves at a time of considerable upheaval for Publicis Groupe media agencies. His exit follows the departure of ZenithOptimedia Hong Kong CEO Chris Skinner last month, and comes three months after Susan Wang left as the company's Taiwan CEO. Kenneth Tsang, CEO of ZenithOptimedia Singapore, left in August after nine years at his post.
