Y&R/Wunderman picks Hui for lead HK role

Benny Hui, former MD of WPP design and branding shop Underline Fitch, has been named chief executive of Y&R/Wunder-man Hong Kong. The appointment signals a move by WPP to continue rebuilding the business after a difficult few years, sparked by IBM shifting its business to Ogilvy in 2003. "We have gone through a not-so-good patch in the last few years, and what is important is that we reinvest and refocus in Hong Kong," said Hui. "We are not on any clients' priority list in terms of new business pitches, so we need to improve awareness and recall levels." Chris Jaques, Y&R/Wunderman regional CEO, said Hui's hire signalled a new era for the Hong Kong operation, which has not had an MD for three years, instead acting primarily as a servicing centre for international clients. "Y&R lost a few global clients, and there were a few foolish management decisions," he said. Hui's appointment follows that of Chen Wei Wei earlier this year. Chen was named chairman and CEO of Y&R China and Taiwan as part of a drive to transform the Greater China operations.

by | 06/28/2006

Benny Hui, former MD of WPP design and branding shop Underline Fitch, has been named chief executive of Y&R/Wunder-man Hong Kong.

The appointment signals a move by WPP to continue rebuilding the business after a difficult few years, sparked by IBM shifting its business to Ogilvy in 2003. "We have gone through a not-so-good patch in the last few years, and what is important is that we reinvest and refocus in Hong Kong," said Hui. "We are not on any clients' priority list in terms of new business pitches, so we need to improve awareness and recall levels."

Chris Jaques, Y&R/Wunderman regional CEO, said Hui's hire signalled a new era for the Hong Kong operation, which has not had an MD for three years, instead acting primarily as a servicing centre for international clients. "Y&R lost a few global clients, and there were a few foolish management decisions," he said.

Hui's appointment follows that of Chen Wei Wei earlier this year. Chen was named chairman and CEO of Y&R China and Taiwan as part of a drive to transform the Greater China operations.