Not selecting a home-grown staffer for the post was, according to Joseph Wang, Ogilvy Shanghai chairman and CEO and vice-chairman for China, due to a lack of mainland Chinese staff with the relevant expertise.
"I don't believe there are many local agency people who are at that level in China. You're dealing with MNC clients that deal with you in China in much the same way as they would in the rest of the world -- London, New York, wherever, Wang said, adding. "Her role is at a very senior level and brand-building experience of this standard just isn't there yet in China."
"I don't believe there are many local agency people who are at that level in China. You're dealing with MNC clients that deal with you in China in much the same way as they would in the rest of the world -- London, New York, wherever, Wang said, adding. "Her role is at a very senior level and brand-building experience of this standard just isn't there yet in China."
Expanding existing and potential client business will be key to Suri's remit, focused on customer relationship management (CRM), Ogilvy Activation, and public relations.
"In these areas there's not a lot of global alignment of agencies -- as there is with traditional advertising where all of the big MNCs are globally aligned," Wang said, adding.
"This (role) takes a certain type of person who can talk to local or international clients, with a management style that translates to knowing how to work within their systems and management structure." Leslie Oliver previously oversaw international client business at Ogilvy Shanghai.
"Giri will take a fresh look at the business without the prejudices that someone with a traditional agency background would have," Ogilvy India CEO John Goodman commented on Giri's promotion.