Most recently the ECD of DDB New York, Tan is regarded as one of the top creatives both regionally and internationally.
During the 1990s, he worked in senior roles in Asia at Ogilvy & Mather, The Ball Partnership and J. Walter Thompson.
Tan, originally from Singapore, helped JWT win Media's Agency of the Year title in 1994 and 1995. He has also won numerous other awards, including Media's Advertising Awards, Cannes and D&AD. He said that his mission was to "write a new chapter on creativity in this part of the world".
"I see boundless opportunities. However, there are no shortcuts. We welcome talented people who share our values, worship new ideas and, above all, care about the work.
"We will be selective of the clients we work with. And we will nurture a new generation of creative thinkers in China and Hong Kong."
DY&R Asia-Pacific chief executive officer Chris Jaques said: "This is an enormous coup for DY&R in the region, and is evidence of our total commitment to become a powerful creative force in the critical China market."