Arrivals and departures

It's been all go on the people moves this past month with a swag of high-flying appointments and defection. Undoubtedly one the largest corporate moves this past month was Microsoft Greater China CEO Timothy Chen, who resigned from the company to take a new role with NBA China as CEO. Ya-Qin Zhang, corporate vice president & chairman of Microsoft's China Research & Development Group, will lead the business as acting CEO but will also continue in his current duties. Meanwhile at Turner Broadcasting System, the company responsible for distributing networks including CNN, the Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies, rejigged its senior ranks elevating Ian Carroll from the dual role of senior vice president and general manager to executive vice president. Carroll has been tasked with exploring new revenue opportunities and overseeing developing areas of business such as moving content into mobile and online channels. Carroll will report to TBS president & managing director Steve Marcopoto. Another big media group to rethink its strategy on the new media front is News Corporation's Star Group, which appointed Anthony Day to expand its broadcasting activity both locally and throughout Asia. As executive vice president of strategy & development, Day will be charged with identifying new revenue opportunities, which may include broadening the number of channels within the Star portfolio. On the agency front, the rollercoaster started with McCann Erickson Guangming hiring JWT creative Philip Lee to fill the CD role at McCann's Guangming office. JWT then poached Alvin Lin, creative director at TBWA\Hakuhodo Guangzhou, to replace Lee as its creative director. Lin, who had been with TBWA\Hakuhodo since March this year has also held stints at Asatsu-DK Hong Kong and Asatsu-DK Singapore. The Havas-owned Media Planning Group moved to strengthen its China operations, making five senior appointments across its strategy and insights divisions. MPG appointed William Wu, formerly of AXA, as business development director for the agency's China market and joining him will be Wayne Zhou, ROI manager across the Dell business and Kang Shih, who replaces Cecilia Tang as planning director. Finally, ZenithOptimedia China introduced a new management layer, appointed Stewart Li, former Carat MD for Hong Kong and Southern China, as its managing director for Shanghai. In this newly created role, Li will aim to further strengthen and develop the long-term client relationship with Shanghai General Motors as well as adapting the agency's ROI offering for the China market. Li reports into Malcolm Hanlon, CEO for ZenithOptimedia China.