Starcom gets Tan and Sung

Singapore - As part of its rejuvenation plans, Starcom MediaVest Group has announced the appointment of Arthur Sung as its new GM, three weeks after hiring Tony Tan, formerly of ZenithOptimedia, as planning director.

Both of them will report directly to Gan Boon Guan, CEO of SMV Group. Sung's role includes aiding his boss in leading the Singapore team and enhancing Starcom's growth, people and offerings - specifically in the areas of consumer context planning.

An industry veteran with over 13 years of experience, he was actively developing business opportunities and was ex-GM at Maxus Singapore. His clients included HSBC, APB, SingTel, UOB, and Ministry Of Education.

Gan says, "The Singapore office has undergone significant changes in the past 12 months and having Arthur in our team will surely strengthen our ability to drive our overall product offering and business growth."

"I am very excited in joining Starcom and working in synergy with Gan to build the Starcom brand further. I personally believe that training and mentoring the younger talent are the best investment to secure future return for the business we operate in," Sung told Marketing.

Marketing previously reported in June the hire of ex-Mediaedge:CIA account director Tony Tan, who joined ZenithOptimedia for a month before moving to Starcom.

When asked about his sudden departure from ZenithOptimedia, his reply was "Chemistry". He added, "I have been looking forward to working with Gan, he has a wonderful reputation. People do not work for companies, they work for people."

Tan has been working on the Sony account and will be working closely with Gan in business development among other duties that have yet been fixed as Starcom is in the process of rejuvenation.

ZenithOptimedia Singapore's CEO Harpreet Singh Kaintel would not comment on Tan's departure to Starcom.