Kiran, Maher and Seah focusing on growth markets and digital expansion
Worldwide media communications agency network Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) announced a new leadership structure in Asia designed to accelerate growth in global emerging markets—China and India—as well as fuel digital expansion throughout the region.
Joining the network is Mindshare’s top digital leader Jeffrey Seah, who will manage the network’s operations in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam as CEO, Southeast Asia with an additional focus of driving digital expansion in these markets. Ravi Kiran remains CEO, South Asia, with a focus on the network’s India businesses. Additionally, Ravi will be elevated to Emerging Market Leader of Specialist Solutions to drive growth of specialized communication capabilities throughout emerging markets. Paul Maher, who remains CEO of SMG’s North Asia operations, will continue to focus on China and oversee Taiwan, Japan, Philippines and Korea. All three will comprise the SMG Asia Leadership team and report directly to SMG President of Global Operations Andrew Swinand.
"Given the importance of growth in China and India along with expanding our digital footprint in the region, I felt strongly that all three areas receive top-level leadership focus,” said Swinand. “Empowering our operations in Asia is my primary mission and with this new structure in place I feel we’ve strongly fortified our operations and are poised to deliver the innovation and growth that have become trademarks of the global SMG story.”
Under Kiran’s watch, SMG’s India operations have experienced high double-digit growth during the last few years. Kiran was essential in the creation of a suite of specialist solutions that have developed into powerful brands in their own right, including specialists in out-of-home, branded entertainment, digital and rural marketing. In his new role, Kiran’s job will be to grow revenue by expanding specialist solutions in emerging markets.
“Along with China, India has become a vital growth market. We’ve already seen tremendous growth in the country, and we have set even higher expectations for the future. I can think of no one better to help us achieve those goals than Ravi,” Swinand said. “His experience and expertise have already helped us achieve tremendous gains in the Asia-Pacific region, and I expect those gains to continue as he focuses on India.”
Kiran commented, “Seizing new opportunity to expand our offering as we have done with our OOH, entertainment and rural marketing practices is something I’ve always been passionate about and I look forward to building onto the successful foundation we’ve laid in India. With access to the entirety of VivaKi resources and specialized communication capabilities, I’m confident we can develop the key initiatives that will drive client growth in India, and create models that can be recreated in other emerging markets.”
Seah will be responsible for accelerating digital growth across Southeast Asia and act as primary lead on the network’s technology client accounts throughout Asia. Seah will be working in concert with newly elevated Chief Digital Officer, South and North Asia Pushkar Sane, who along with driving digital expansion in China and India will head up SMG’s global social marketing practice.
Seah returns to SMG after spending two years with WPP’s Mindshare in Asia, most recently as its sub-CEO overseeing Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia and concurrently as its EXCO Leader responsible for Digital Integration. Seah has spent 15 years in the advertising business across Asia Pacific markets with a focus on refining the ad agency business model and shaping talent.
“During my tenure at Starcom MediaVest Group, I learned firsthand the quality of talent that exists in the network and look forward to once again working alongside them to create an agency geared for the future,” Seah said, who worked with Swinand for many years as a member of the SMG global technology practice.
About Starcom MediaVest Group
Ranked one of the largest brand communications groups in the world, Starcom MediaVest Group (www.smvgroup.com) encompasses an integrated network of highly specialized consumer contact companies. SMG's global organization includes strategic marketing communication architects who are highly specialized in media management, response media, internet and digital communications, as well as multicultural, entertainment, gaming, sports, sponsorship, event marketing and media. With nearly 5,800 employees in 110 offices worldwide, SMG delivers brand-building results for many of the world's leading companies. It is part of Paris-based Publicis Groupe S.A.
