TBWA unveils regional management shake-up

Alain Rhone rejoins the agency as chief operating officer of TBWA Asia-Pacific after a four-year stint as regional CFO at holding company Omnicom. 

In addition, Philip Brett has been promoted to president, Southeast Asia, and will oversee the rapid growth of the agency in markets such as India. Brett will maintain his responsibilities as chairman of TBWATequila Singapore and regional managing director of Tequila Asia Pacific. 

Rhone will report to Keith Smith (pictured), president of international at TBWAWorldwide, who commented: “It was always his intention to come back to TBWA in a broader role.” 

On Brett’s promotion, Smith added: “Phil has done a fantastic job of turning the Singapore office into an important hub for the network, and has played a major role in developing our digital capabilities across the region.”

Ian Thubron, executive vice-president TBWAAsia-Pacific, has been given an added responsibility to help grow TBWA Global clients in the region and will also liaise with the global network on new business support. Thubron will continue his responsibilities as chief executive office for TBWAHong Kong.

Darren Jackson, formerly financial controller Asia-Pacific for the agency, has been promoted to chief financial officer for the region.

“We have reached a size where we needed a wider breath of management,” said Smith. “Our speed of growth in Asia-Pacific over the past few years has made it important to further strengthen the regional team. I am confident that this management team will continue our progress through 2009 and beyond.”

Brett, Thubron and Jackson also report to Keith Smith. 

TBWA’s key global clients include adidas, Absolut, Apple, McDonald’s, Mars and Michelin. However, the agency recently lost the Shangri-La account to Ogilvy.