https://theprpost.com/post/14820/

Omnicom PR reshapes APAC leadership

Omnicom Public Relations (OPR) has introduced a new Asia-Pacific leadership framework aimed at strengthening collaboration across its agency portfolio and delivering more integrated client solutions throughout the region.The restructuring brings together leadership oversight across OPR's major communications brands, including Weber Shandwick, FleishmanHillard, Golin and Ketchum, while establishing a regional team focused on growth, strategy, reputation, analytics, creative and sector specialisation.Under the new market leadership structure, Yisi Liu will oversee China, Carol Yeung will lead Hong Kong, Ryo Kanayama takes charge of Japan, Elizabeth Bae will head Korea, and Carolyn Ann Devanayagam will lead Singapore. In addition to her market responsibilities, Devanayagam has been appointed Head of Advisory for APAC.The regional leadership team also includes Campbell Hanley as Head of Client Experience and Growth, while Jena Qian will oversee Business Development and Marketing across the region.Sector-specific leadership appointments include Robert Magyar, who will head the Health practice, supported by Medical Communications specialist Glenn Halliwell. Patrick Yu has been named leader for Financial and Professional Services and will continue to drive growth initiatives in Hong Kong.Further strengthening the regional team, Jonathan Fisher will lead Corporate Reputation and Risk, Thomas Skelton will oversee Data and Analytics, Hin Yen Wong will head Strategy and Planning, Shouvik Mukherjee will lead Creative, and Rafidah Rashid will head OMC Connect while retaining her role as Singapore Growth Lead.Supporting the broader leadership structure are Chief Financial Officer Martin Yu and Human Resources Lead Mary Czarnecki.The appointments follow OPR's recently announced regional leadership changes, effective July 1. Joanne Wong will assume the role of CEO, APAC; Hugh Taggart will become CEO, EMEA; and Greg Power will take over as CEO, Canada. All three executives will report to OPR CEO Chris Foster and oversee the company's agency operations across their respective regions.The changes form part of a wider strategy to simplify governance, improve cross-market collaboration and create a more unified client experience across OPR's global agency network.Separately, Weber Shandwick has announced that CEO Susan Howe will retire in September after nearly three decades with the agency. Global President Karen Pugliese will succeed her as CEO from September 1. Meanwhile, Weber Shandwick North America CEO and Global President Jim O'Leary is set to leave the agency to become CEO of Penta.Commenting on the transformation, Foster said the company is bringing its agencies together in a more coordinated manner while preserving the distinct strengths of each brand. He noted that the approach is designed to enhance collaboration and ensure clients receive seamless support across markets and disciplines.While the new structure will be implemented across multiple international markets, OPR's operations in the United States and United Kingdom will continue under their existing agency models. Additional country-level leadership appointments are expected to be announced in the coming months.