UPDATE: JWT and XM confirm first joint hire - Valerie Cheng as ECD

Cheng joins from Publicis Modern Singapore where she was appointed as executive creative director just six months ago, in May 2010, along with general manager Earl Allen.

Prior to Publicis, she was creative director at Leo Burnett/Arc Worldwide, Singapore for six years, where she earned a seat on the Leo Burnett Global Creative Board, making her the youngest amongst the top 20 creatives in the world.

Cheng worked at XM as an art director from 1999-2003. She rejoins with an expanded role across the two agencies, reporting to Jun Fukawa, executive creative director, JWT Singapore.  

A joint statement says Cheng's appointment is a direct reflection of today’s evolving business landscape with XM and JWT answering to the market challenges by boosting their multi-disciplinary talent and offerings. 
 
Paul Soon, XM-Asia regional director and director, digital JWT Asia Pacific said, "(Valerie) has the digital and integrated skills that, coupled with her extensive experience working with top-name global and local clients, will help us deliver the best of what both JWT and XM have to offer our clients, both individually and also combined in one package.” 
 
Cheng was also appointed the first female chairperson for Singapore's Creative Circle Awards.