The appointment of Higgins is effectively immediately. In his newly created role, Higgins will oversee some of the group's major global clients, working alongside Kevin Lee, who will continue in his role as ECD of O&M Advertising Shanghai.
Higgins has relocated to Shanghai from Sydney where he recently completed projects for Droga 5 and Publicis Mojo. Before that he was regional creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi UAE, based out of Dubai.
During his career, Higgins has held leadership positions in Singapore, Sydney and London for Leo Burnett, The Ball Partnership (now Euro RSCG), TBWA and Grey Worldwide. His portfolio of work spans a wide range of industries including fashion, automotive, F&B, FMCG, sports, beauty products and white goods.
Ogilvy China has also announced the appointment of six creative directors to bolster its creative team in Shanghai.
The new hires include Karen Wong from DDB Hong Kong, KienHoe Ong from Saatchi & Saatchi Shanghai, Xavier Wong from Genesis China and former creative group head at Omnicom's Naga DDB Malaysia Khoo Choo Kian.
Troy Sullivan transfers from Ogilvy & Mather Hong Kong where he was regional creative partner and Michael Chu returns from Iris Beijing to round off the team as creative director for OgilvyOne Shanghai.
Chris Reitermann, president of O&M Group Shanghai, said the agency had a great run in new business over the past 18 months and many clients are becoming more ambitious.
"This creative lineup offers the mix of talent and vision that will make that possible," he said.
Paul Heath, O&M Asia-Pacific CEO and worldwide director of O&M Advertising, said with these creative moves the agency is not aiming for leadership in China alone: "A world class city demands world class creative. Our clients demand this, and we demand this of ourselves. Great creative also attracts world class talent and raises the bar in everything we do. We are putting in place talent across all levels to address the growing role Shanghai is playing in the world."
