GroupM looks to Liu for China growth

National - GroupM has hired Thomas Liu, vice-president of Star Group China, to a newly created role of managing director of strategic investments, responsible in overseeing the media buying groups China strategy.

Liu has ten years experience in mergers and acquisition and will add considerable strength to the company's investment strategy in China, according to Bessie Lee, CEO for GroupM China.

"He will work closely with me and the management team to implement the group's investment strategy and accelerate our investment initiatives," Lee said.

Liu will be based in Shanghai and report directly to Lee.

At Star, Liu was responsible for business development and investment projects in both traditional and new media sectors.

Prior to Star, he was director of corporate development at Tom Online tasked to lead its M&A, investment and business development projects in internet and wireless VAS sectors. He also worked before at Lehman Brothers Inc. New York and Swire Pacific in Hong Kong.