Former MEC Singapore MD Sharon Soh heads to IPG Mediabrands

MEC Singapore’s former managing director Sharon Soh has taken on a new role as regional strategy director at IPG Mediabrands APAC, a move confirmed by the agency. She reports to Matt Scotton, regional chief strategy officer, who took on the role in September last year.She will lead communications and connections strategy, product development and thought leadership across IPG's regional client base, working closely with the regional strategy team, research, tools, analytics and digital disciplines to ensure 360 degree thinking. This will be across all 13 APAC markets.Soh departed MEC Singapore in January this year. Prior to the appointment, Soh was MD of MEC Singapore since 2012. She took over the role from Connie Chan, who in turn took on the role as MD of global solutions for the APAC region, the international media arm of MEC.During her tenure, she was responsible for the people, product and portfolio of clients in Singapore. Before her role as MD, Soh was strategic planning lead for MEC Singapore and Global Solutions for four years, focusing on providing strategic counsel for key clients such as Singtel, Coca-Cola, Chevron, Daimler, Sony and Economic Development Board. She was also involved in the application of MEC’s integrated planning process across the organisation. This is to ensure teams integrate digital and content into their communication solutions.Soh also held the role of general manager from 2005 to 2008, leading new business pitches and overseeing the Singapore team. She has also held roles such as group account director of Singapore and business director for MC2, executing campaigns for clients such as Daimler, Cycle & Carriage, Coca-Cola Far East, Warner Bros, Warner Music, DHL. Under Soh’s leadership, the agency executed multiple media campaigns for major clients such as Health Promotion Board, Parkway Medical, Sentosa, Caltex and Mercedes Benz.Following Soh’s departure, MEC Global named Allison Coley as its new managing director of both its MEC Singapore and MEC Global Solutions Asia Pacific divisions. This also saw MEC Global Solutions MD Connie Chan taking on a new role as chief client officer for APAC.“We are thrilled to have Soh join the team, she is a first class operator and has a reputation for driving clients business with strategic thinking and products.  I’m excited to be working with her to drive our strategic capability across the region," Scotton said."After taking a short break, I am excited to be returning to our dynamic and fast evolving media business. I am even more thrilled to be joining an energetic and growing network such as IPG Mediabrands that puts a real focus on strategic leadership. I look forward to working closely with Scotton and the APAC team to strengthen our strategic capability, and ultimately deliver great work and results to our clients," Soh said.